Obituary of Frances Georgina Little
Frances Georgina Little died on July 29, 2024, at the age of 97 after 2 ½ years living in the Bonnechere Manor in Renfrew, Ontario. Fran is predeceased by her four older sisters Olive Lyster, Irene Upton, Roberta Martin and Doris Deugau Bonn and her husband Richard Ruddy. She is survived by her youngest sister, Billie Daw, her nephew Ken Deugau and his wife Kathleen (Fran’s caregivers), her stepchildren Sarah Welham, Martin Ruddy, and Michael Ruddy, and many nieces and nephews.
Fran was born in Edmonton, Alberta and attended school there, receiving a Diploma from McTavish Business College. Canadian General Electric hired her in 1945 for various temporary positions while she studied Home Economics at the University of Alberta, earning her BSc. in 1950. She then moved to Montreal and held a dietetic internship at the Royal Victoria Hospital. Robin Hood Flour Mills hired her, serving for 9 years as Home Service Director, participating in test kitchen work and preparation of food for photography.
Her experience and interest in public relations led her to Ottawa to the Canada Department of Agriculture, writing and planning media presentations promoting agricultural food products. She returned to Montreal to work for the Canada Starch Co. organizing and directing the Home Service Department, and planning and publishing material for consumers, home economists, and teachers. After taking various advanced courses she was awarded a High School Specialist’s Certificate in 1977 and became a home economics teacher at Westlane Secondary School in Niagara Falls.
Fran met Richard (Dick) Ruddy when they were living in the same apartment building in St. Catharines. They married in 1982 and enjoyed their retirement together. Fran purchased a cottage on Upper Rideau Lake in Westport to be close to her sister, Doris, who was living in Westport. The cottage was not winterized, and winters were spent at their home in St. David’s (Niagara Region) until the early 2000s when they moved to a condo in Perth. The cottage was well used for family gatherings and reunions, where Fran loved to do the cooking. Fran loved her flowers, growing lots of African Violets and geraniums.
A Celebration of Life will be held at the Blair and Son Funeral Home, 15 Gore St., W., Perth on Tuesday September 10th, 2024 at 2:00 P.M. Fran will be interred with her late husband Richard Ruddy at Elmwood Cemetery in Perth.
