The death of Ruth Louise Shannon, 71, of Saint John, and formerly of Dorchester, occurred suddenly at the Saint John Regional Hospital on Saturday, January 16, 2016.  Born in Moncton, Ruth was a daughter of the late Cecil and Gladys (Dernier) Shannon.

Ruth had lived her life as an independent and decisive woman.  She was very private.  She enjoyed travel and as a young woman had joined CUSO and spent several years in Africa, teaching in both Ghana and Madagascar.  Ruth studied French at Mount Allison University and later received a degree in translation from U de M.  She worked for both the federal and provincial governments, most recently having been employed at the Saint John Regional Hospital.

Ruth will be sadly missed by a sister Sue (Allan) Stuart, Hammonds Plains; two nephews, A. Breck (Amanda) Stuart, Halifax, and Sean (Heather) Stuart, Milton, ON, as well a niece, Shannon (Brad) Fitzsimmons, Windsor, NS and three great nephews.

Besides her parents, she was predeceased by a sister, Margaret and an infant brother, John.

Arrangements are under the care and guidance of Jones Funeral Home, 70 Bridge Street, Sackville, NB (506-364-1300) from where a time of visitation will be held on Friday, January 22, 2016 from 1 pm until the time of the funeral at 2 pm.   Interment will take place in the Dorchester Rural Cemetery in the Spring.

Donations in memory of Ruth may be made to the Saint John Regional Hospital or the Heart and Stroke Foundation.

Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting Ruth's online memorial at www.jonesfuneralhome.ca or through the funeral home Facebook Page.