RICHARDS LANDING, December 30, 2025 — Ruth Stevens, a lifelong resident of St. Joseph Island and a pillar of her community, died peacefully Sunday morning at the Blind River Health Centre at age 77. Her passing marks the end of an era for many who knew her dedication to service and her warm, nurturing spirit.
A Life Rooted in Community and Kindness
Ruth Stevens’s decades of volunteer work and unwavering support for her neighbors left an indelible mark on St. Joseph Island and beyond.
- Ruth Stevens dedicated her life to volunteering and community involvement.
- She balanced a career with Air Canada and raising a family before returning to St. Joseph Island.
- Stevens enjoyed gardening, maple syrup production, and an active retirement filled with travel and outdoor pursuits.
- Her family and friends remember her as a steadfast friend and a source of enrichment for all who knew her.
- A celebration of life will be held on January 3, 2026, with donations encouraged for local outreach programs and the children’s library.
What was Ruth Stevens known for? Ruth Stevens was widely known for her unwavering commitment to her community, her dedication to volunteering, and her warm, nurturing personality. She consistently put the needs of others before her own, leaving a lasting positive impact on those around her.
Born in Richards Landing to Artie and Laura Littleton, Ruth’s upbringing on her parents’ farm instilled in her a deep appreciation for hard work, family, and the importance of community. She carried these values throughout her life, even as her career with Air Canada took her beyond the Island. She later prioritized raising her children, Debbie Alcock (Dwayne) and Tim Stevens (Patti), in Sault Ste. Marie’s east end, stepping away from her professional life to focus on her family.
Returning to St. Joseph Island with her husband, Edwin Stevens, of 57 years, Ruth continued her commitment to service. She and Edwin built a home on the edge of the Mountain, where she became a guide for young Pathfinders and a long-time volunteer with the Jocelyn Recreation Committee. Her dedication extended to being a Block Parent and volunteering at Parkland School in Sault Ste. Marie.
Ruth’s active lifestyle continued into her later years, with a fondness for cross-country skiing, golf, and disc golf at the Mountain View course. She is survived by her grandsons, Jared Alcock (Kayla), Lucas Alcock (Andrew Dewar), Ethan Stevens, and Tyler Stevens (Sydney Kent), as well as her sister Sharon Caple (Charlie), Edna Maguire (Ross), Joan Bishop (Ross), Joyce Thompson (late Doug), and Roy Littleton (Laurel-Ann). She was also a beloved daughter-in-law to the late Leonard and Gladys Stevens, and the late Bertha Stevens, and sister-in-law to Carrie McPhee (late Bob), Sharon Farquhar (Gene), Wesley Stevens (Sharon), and Calvin Stevens (Julie). She was predeceased by Ken Littleton (late Susan), Clive Stevens (Faye), Harvey Stevens (Mary), and Wilfred Stevens (Dana).
A Come and Go Celebration of Life will be held at the Royal Canadian Legion Hall in Richards Landing on Saturday, January 3, 2026, from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm. The family requests that memorial donations be made to the St. Joseph Township PSW Outreach Program (e-transfer to [email protected], with “PSW” in the memo line, or by cheque payable to the Township of St. Joseph, also with “PSW” in the memo line) or the Children’s Library, Richards Landing (e-transfer to [email protected], with “in memory of Ruth” in the memo line, or by cheque payable to the Children’s Library, Richards Landing, also with “in memory of Ruth” in the memo line).
Arrangements were entrusted to Arthur Funeral Home – Barton & Kiteley Chapel (492 Wellington St. East; 705-759-2522). Condolences may be left for the family in the obituary section at www.arthurfuneralhome.com.
