Obituary of Ruth Marie McLaren (nee Burgess)

To view the livestream of the service, please click here.

Passed away peacefully on Friday, January 16, 2026 in her 93rd year, at University Gates Retirement Home in Waterloo.

Ruth was born on October 17, 1933 in Rockton, Ontario, the oldest child of Gordon Burgess and Kelvie Burgess (Elliott). Ruth was predeceased by her husband of 64 years Kenneth Lyle McLaren (2021). She is survived by her brother Russell (Betty) and her sons Doug (Jennifer) and Don (Sue Carpenter). Ruth will be sadly missed by her grandchildren Kelvie (Dan), Ian (Hayley), Ainsley (Mitchell), Lyle and Leslie (Logan), her great-grandchildren Maggie, Dallas, Zoe and Jayden, and eight nieces and nephews.  

The family would like to express our deepest thanks to the staff at University Gates for their care, compassion and kindness towards Ruth, especially during the last few months of her life. 

Please join us at the Erb & Good Family Funeral Home, 171 King St. S., Waterloo on Sunday, June 7th to share your memories of Ruth at a Visitation from 1:00 p.m. to 1:45 p.m., and a Celebration of Life at 2:00 p.m. in the funeral home's chapel. A reception will follow.

In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy, sharing memories of Ruth, and memorial donations to the Canadian Cancer Society, Lupus Canada, or a charity of your choice may all be arranged through www.erbgood.com.