Obituary of Laura Catherine Hart
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved mother and friend Laura Hart (nee Ruddle) on October 14, 2022, in her 89th year. Mom passed quietly and peacefully surrounded by her children after a quick decline in her health. Mom is predeceased by her parents Eva and William (Art) Ruddle, her loving husband Ken, sisters Yvonne Darco (Ronnie), Lynn Swartz (Gavin), brother Ed Ruddle (Ellie) and nephew Dwight Ruddle. Laura is survived by her sons Master Warrant Officer (Ret’d) Blair Hart (Rhonda) of Ottawa, Sergeant (Ret’d) Bradley C. Hart (Daria) of St. Catharines, and daughter Dr. Kendra Hart of Calgary. She also leaves behind her grandchildren Catharine Jolly (Jamie), Alisha Hart (Dalton Dickou), Madison Hart, Karen Hart (Joey Scaringi), Chenille, Jayda, Brooke and Jacob Hart, as well as great-grandchildren Aria and Benjamin Jolly.
Laura was born April 21, 1933 as a child of the Great Depression. After attending school she went to work for Canada Haircloth before moving to Thompson Products (TRW) where she worked to produce parts for the Avro Arrow prior to the cancelation of the program. She then went on to own and operate a successful hair dressing salon before stopping to take on the role of full-time mother to two great children and a third mischievous child (we’re not saying which one that one was) that always kept her hopping. In later years, Laura went on to establish and operate The Monogram Studio, one of Southern Ontario’s first industrial embroidery facilities.
Laura was the guiding light of her family. Along with her husband Ken, they never missed a graduation, military parade, wedding, baptism, funeral or family event no matter how far they had to travel to be there. In so many ways, Mom was the very best of us. There is an old expression that goes “If I have seen far, it’s because I stood on the shoulders of giants” but in Mom’s case it would be “If we have achieved much, it was because we stood on the foundation she created for us”. Mom will be dearly missed by us all.
The family would like to express our gratitude and warm appreciation to Dr. Jayawardne (“Dr J”), the nurses and PSWs at The Royal Henley Retirement Community for their kind and compassionate care. We also wish to express our gratitude to the dining and activity staff as well as the Administration of Royal Henley for their friendship, kindness, compassion and care. Together you made both Mom and Dad’s last few years very happy.
In keeping with Mom ‘s wishes, cremation and funeral arrangements have been entrusted with GEORGE DARTE FUNERAL HOME, 585 Carlton St., St. Catharines.
Visitation will be on Saturday, October 22 from 1-3 pm, followed by a service and reception at the George Darte Funeral Home. Interment will occur at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations would be appreciated to Valhalla Project of Niagara or the Shriners Children’s Hospital in Montreal.
For those wishing to view Laura's funeral service via livestream, please click the following link: https://youtu.be/Vxjc6Q3a2D0