Eighty-eight year old Ruth Stanley of Sackville will be recognized for her years of community service in October when she will be the recipient of The Order of New Brunswick. Stanley is one of 10 to receive the award, which is the highest honor given by the province.
Mrs. Stanley received word that she would be receiving the honour about a month ago. Speaking from her home at the Tantramar Residences Stanley says she was impressed because this award is for great New Brunswickers “It was a lovely surprise” she said, “I have a great admiration for New Brunswickers.”
Ruth is receiving The Order for long and active advocacy of gender equality and dedication to youth, heath care and the arts in New Brunswick. Her advocacy stems from a strong belief in the importance of being involved in the community and the promotion and preservation of the cultural and historical heritage of New Brunswick.
Ruth will be able to add The Order of New Brunswick to her already extensive list of achievements. She grew up in Montreal were she was the first woman to ever attend McGill Law school and was admitted to the Bar in 1945. She married George Stanley in 1946.
Ruth is the honorary commissioner of the New Brunswick Girl Guides, honorary President of the board of the New Brunswick Museum, honorary President of the NB Mental Health Association, honorary life member of the New Brunswick Craft Council, she holds honorary degrees from Mount Allison and St. Thomas Universities and thanks to Mrs. Stanley’s determination and negotiating skills the present Sackville Memorial Hospital was built and has remained an up to date facility; something Stanley says she is very proud of. She has also served as the President of the Sackville Art Association and remembers fondly hosting the very first Maud Lewis exhibit. “We had to have the entire event up and down in 24 hours, it was so much fun,” Stanley reminisced.
George brought Ruth to Sackville for what was supposed to be a temporary stay of three years in 1969 and she has been here ever since, “its been a long three years,” she said with a laugh.
Currently Ruth is focusing on her health, she finds great pleasure in visiting with her friends and family and she still belongs to several organizations that she says keep her very busy. Ruth is hoping to attend the ceremony, set for October 27, “I wouldn’t miss it!” she said.
