MacKNESON, Ruth Gladys  
November 11th 1930 to February 6th 2023
Ruth Gladys MacKneson died peacefully in her sleep on February 6, 2023, at the age of 92. She is predeceased by her husband Stephen Wayne MacKneson. She is loved by her four children: Heather, Brenda, Craig, and Nancy (Gerry); six grandchildren, Emma & Clara, Kristina (Adam) & Graham, Scott & Sara; and two great grandchildren Madeline and Julian. Ruth was born in 1930 in Hamilton, the daughter of Harry and Gladys Thomasson. As a young Biology student at McMaster University, she met and later married Stephen MacKneson, and they settled in Toronto. Ruth began her career as a science researcher at the Connaught Laboratories at U of T. Her passion for science led Ruth to become the Science teacher at Bishop Strachan School, where for a decade she was known for wearing a white lab coat, with sassy shoes. A thoughtful and creative mother, she believed in and listened to the ideas of her young children and enjoyed creating matching dresses for each of her daughters. Ruth & Stephen loved animals, always had a dog and cats at home and believed in the therapeutic benefit of pets on families. In 1978 Ruth and Stephen found a beautiful property in Prince Edward County where for the next twenty years, Stephen grew organic vegetables while Ruth grew and dried flowers to create ever-lasting bouquets. Ruth leaves as a legacy her love of nature and a pragmatic curiosity of how and why things are the way they are.