PITCHER, Ruby Blanche - 87, Port Hawkesbury, passed away peacefully with her loving family by her side on Friday, October 25th, 2013, in the Port Hawkesbury Nursing Home. She was born in Clarenville, Newfoundland on May 20th, 1926 and was the daughter of the late Kenneth and Catherine (Marsh) Balsom. Ruby owned and operated her own convenience store in Coxheath for many years. After moving to Port Hawkesbury, she worked at the Port Hawkesbury Bowling Alley lunch counter, than retired as an Assistant Manager at the Red Grill Restaurant (Woolco) after 26 years of service. In her spare time, knitting, travelling and playing cards were Ruby's favourite past times. She was also known for her wonderful sense of humor, witty comebacks and her ability to make people laugh. Ruby was a loving mother, sister, grandmother and great-grandmother. Her family was loved very dearly and always came first in her life. She was a caring, compassionate and generous person who always catered to the needs of others. Along with the love she showed her family, Ruby had a great passion for her home of Newfoundland. It was a well known fact that she was proud to consider herself a "tough Newfie". Any day was a good day if it was spent on "The Rock". She is survived by children, Linda Paris, Halifax; Shirley (Lionel) Marchand, Port Hawkesbury; Keith (Louise), Halifax; Gary, Calgary; grandchildren Vanessa, Thane, Denise, Jim, Patricia, Natasha, Nicholas and Kayla as well as 10 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by twin sisters, Hazel Bursey and Hilda Blanchard, of Newfoundland. She is predeceased by son, Donald (Dianne); twin grandsons, Kenneth and Daniel; brothers, Melvin, Frank and Reginald; sisters, Gloria, Donna, Bonnie, Elsie and Maude. Ruby will be truly missed by those who knew and loved her. Cremation has taken place. Visitation will be Monday, Oct 28th from 2 - 4 and 6 - 8 p.m. in Dennis Haverstock Funeral Home, Port Hawkesbury. Funeral service is to be held from St. Mark's United Church, Port Hawkesbury on Tuesday, October 29th at 11 a.m. with Nan Corrigan officiating. Burial is St. Joseph cemetery, Port Hawkesbury. The family would like to thank the staff of the Port Hawkesbury Nursing Home for the devotion, care and compassion shown to Mom during her stay at the Home. We would also like to thank Dr. James Collins as well as the doctors and staff of the PCU at St. Martha's Regional Hospital. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Alzheimer's Society of Nova Scotia, The Heart and Stroke Foundation, or the Canadian Diabetic Association. Words of comfort may be forwarded to the family at www.haverstocks.com Visitation Information Visitation Monday, October 28, 2013 Visitation Time 2-4 & 6-8 p.m. Visitation Location Dennis Haverstock Funeral Home, Port Hawkesbury Service Information Service Date Tuesday, October 29, 2013 Service Time 11 a.m. Service Location St. Mark's United Church, Port Hawkesbury Burial Information Burial Date Tuesday, October 29, 2013 Burial Time 12::30 Burial Location St. Joseph Cemetery, Port Hawkesbury