Stella Ruby

STELLA RUBY

(nee Polojko)

June 1, 1927 - March 29, 2021

The family of Stella (Polojko) Ruby sadly announces that Stella passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on March 29th. Stella leaves behind her children Michael and Paula (Martin), and grandchildren Michaela and Stefan. She was recently pre-deceased by her loving husband of 73 years Murray (in Dec.) and son Eric, as well as siblings Mary, Bill, Sophie, and Diana.

 Stella was born in Espanola, a strong Ukrainian community 70 km west of Sudbury. In her late teenage years, she met Murray in Parry Sound upon his return from the air force during WWII. They married, moved to Huntsville, and later raised their 3 children in the town. Learning English at 5, Stella became a lifelong reader and supporter of the local library. She would take her 5 cents to the library every week to pick out a book. She remained a lover of books for the rest of her life. An enjoyer of the arts, she would attend both the local church plays/musicals, as well as jaunts to Toronto to the Royal Alexandra and O’Keefe Centre with her friends. Both Stella and Murray thoroughly enjoyed attending Huntsville’s wonderful Algonquin Theatre.

 Stella was athletic since childhood. Starting off with softball, she eventually started skiing in the early 60s along with her children at Tally Ho, and later to Hidden Valley as a charter member along with Murray. Murray and Stella were also very into tennis, where she thrived in the competitive scene. She played in many tournaments in both doubles and mixed doubles, where she and Murray won numerous trophies. Many winter holidays were spent either playing tennis in a warmer destination or skiing in the mountains with good friends. Friends were an important part of her life—she enjoyed an annual bridge getaway for many years, and met twice weekly at “the table of knowledge” for coffee for over 60 years.

 Stella could always be seen out for her daily walks across town, and if weather did not permit, she would head to the Summit Centre or The Independent to put in her steps for the day.  She thoroughly enjoyed annual autumn hikes/picnics with Murray and friends to Algonquin and Arrowhead Parks to view the fall colours. She also enjoyed lunch on the dock at the cottage and swimming with the grandkids in her later years.

Stella will be greatly missed by family, friends and many in the community, and she and Murray were a big part of the fabric of Huntsville. She ended her 93 years with a song, her lipstick on and a “toodle-oo”. Her family would like to thank the staff at Huntsville and District Memorial Hospital and Hospice Huntsville for their tremendous care. A gathering will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to:

Hospice Huntsville

100 Frank Miller Dr.,

Huntsville, ON

P1H 1H7