Obituary for Ruth Margite Hangasmaa (Hamalainen)
Ruth Margite Hangasmaa, 83, of Vancouver, BC, passed away peacefully on Sunday, June 27, 2021. She was born on November 14, 1937, in Toronto, Ontario, to parents Matti and Lydia, who were originally from Finland.
When Ruth was a teenager, her family decided to migrate west to British Columbia where her father started the first Finnish Lutheran Church, which still stands today.
Ruth graduated with honours from Vancouver Technical School in 1955. She went on to work for BC Hydro as an executive secretary and then took time off to get married and have children. She later furthered her education and became a legal secretary and she retired at 70 years of age.
In her early years, she was an avid trap shooter and won many trophies but the one she was most proud of was the coveted Molson Canadian trophy for overall high score for both men and women.
Ruth was passionate about music, with a collection of over a thousand records, CDs, and cassettes. She especially loved Latin dance music and took lessons in all of the styles, from the Chacha to the Rumba, Tango, Salsa, and Jive, She could always be found on the dance floor at any party.
She also loved to travel. She visited Finland, Italy, Greece, Hawaii, and Mexico, which was great for the music she loved so much. Hawaii held a special place in her heart and she returned several times.
Ruth had style. Her hair and make-up were always done, along with a matching outfit every day, even if she was just going to meet the "Over the Hill Gang" for coffee. She was always put together and many days it was leopard print, from clothing to purses and shoes, it was her favourite.
Ruth is survived by her daughters, Julie and Kristine (Walter) and grandchildren, Blake and Briana and great grandchild Noah.
She was predeceased by her parents Matti and Lydia and brothers Osmo, Pauli (Marian), Kyosti (Olive) and Peter.(Audrey)
No funeral services will be held at her request; instead, a celebration of life Latin dance party will be held in the future. Her ashes were scattered on Sunday, November 14th, 2021, completing her circle of life. She was loved and will be missed by many.
When Ruth was a teenager, her family decided to migrate west to British Columbia where her father started the first Finnish Lutheran Church, which still stands today.
Ruth graduated with honours from Vancouver Technical School in 1955. She went on to work for BC Hydro as an executive secretary and then took time off to get married and have children. She later furthered her education and became a legal secretary and she retired at 70 years of age.
In her early years, she was an avid trap shooter and won many trophies but the one she was most proud of was the coveted Molson Canadian trophy for overall high score for both men and women.
Ruth was passionate about music, with a collection of over a thousand records, CDs, and cassettes. She especially loved Latin dance music and took lessons in all of the styles, from the Chacha to the Rumba, Tango, Salsa, and Jive, She could always be found on the dance floor at any party.
She also loved to travel. She visited Finland, Italy, Greece, Hawaii, and Mexico, which was great for the music she loved so much. Hawaii held a special place in her heart and she returned several times.
Ruth had style. Her hair and make-up were always done, along with a matching outfit every day, even if she was just going to meet the "Over the Hill Gang" for coffee. She was always put together and many days it was leopard print, from clothing to purses and shoes, it was her favourite.
Ruth is survived by her daughters, Julie and Kristine (Walter) and grandchildren, Blake and Briana and great grandchild Noah.
She was predeceased by her parents Matti and Lydia and brothers Osmo, Pauli (Marian), Kyosti (Olive) and Peter.(Audrey)
No funeral services will be held at her request; instead, a celebration of life Latin dance party will be held in the future. Her ashes were scattered on Sunday, November 14th, 2021, completing her circle of life. She was loved and will be missed by many.