Obituary of Ruth Elizabeth Loomer

Our mother, Ruth Elizabeth Loomer, was born in West Paradise, Nova Scotia (just outside Bridgetown) on May 9, 1931, to Robie Whitman and Mary Varner (1901-1937). 

She did her primary education at the one room school just down the road from her father’s farm, and her high school in Bridgetown.  In 1953 she graduated from King’s College, Dalhousie University, with summa cum laude in Political Science and was valedictorian for her class.

After graduation she moved to Ottawa to work in the Federal Government, where she was swept off her feet by a handsome former WW2 flying officer and now scientist with Energy, Mines and Resources, “Kit” Loomer, (she didn’t realize his real name was Elijah Isaiah until just before the wedding). 

After their marriage in June 1954 they moved into a small home at 26 Willeth Ave., in the new development of Fisher Heights.  As a married woman she was no longer allowed to continue working with the Federal Government.

Our mother and father bravely adopted four children, one every three years. The first was Robie Stewart Loomer in 1956; then Peter Whitman Loomer, 1958-2009; Martha Elizabeth Loomer in 1961; and James Richard Loomer in 1964.

While trying to corral 4 young children, our mother also opened the first English as a Second Language School in our neighbourhood.  From the basement of our home she began teaching English to the wives of our many Italian neighbours, moving on to include other immigrant women.  Later, she was one of the first teachers at Interlangues Language School.  In 1977 she returned to University to obtain her Certificate to Teach ESL.

Our mother was also very involved in Carleton Memorial United Church, especially in the Church’s charitable activities, helping families in need in the neighbourhood as a founding member of Debra Dynes Family House, and providing assistance to children abroad, and sponsoring refugee families to Canada.

In 2013 she was awarded the Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers by the Governor General for, “For decades, Ruth Loomer, has committed to helping people in her community and abroad.  In Ottawa, she teaches English as a second language to newcomers.  She was a board member of the Debra Dynes Family House, which helps low-income families, and she works tirelessly to create social outreach initiatives through Carleton Memorial United Church.  Additionally she has partnered with Bridgehead to support small-scale coffee farmers in Central and South America, Indonesia and Africa by selling fair-trade coffee through churches in the Ottawa area.”

Our mother also travelled widely in Europe, Tunisia, Peru, Russia, Japan, and even walking part of the Camino de Santiago at the age of 74 with her son, Robie.

Ruth passed away peacefully in her sleep at Peter D. Clark on August 9, 2025, after 94 years of a passionately fruitful life.

Donations to Debra Dynes Family House.