Auntie Ruth

Ruth and Arnie in 2009

Ruth'sdaughters Mary, Donna and Carol and Carol's granddaughter.

The family and friends on Ruth's patio.  Look at the view!

Arnie and I

Michael with his 3rd cousin's wife

Arnie's Auntie Ruth was killed in a car accident in early September.  It was a tragic loss to the van der Est family.  She was the matriarch who held the extended family together.  Her brothers are all gone, but she use to have reunions  as the families of her brothers scattered, she brought them back together again. We were sad to have to miss the family reunion in August and had we known it would be the last one, we would have rearranged our plans to have been there.  The church in Campbell River was packed to the rafters, a tribute to a woman who had many, many friends and loved ones. She had told her daughter that when she passed away she wanted her family and close friends to have a barbeque at her house by the river.  So we had that last get together with out her.  Her generosity was extended even after her death.