Obituary of Alma Jean Ronald

There is beauty in every sunset. A sentiment Alma Jean Ronald (née Johnston) embraced throughout her life, never missing an opportunity to pause and admire the evening sky. Born on July 15, 1933, in Kintail, north of Goderich, Ontario, on a farm nestled along the shores of Lake Huron, Alma lived a life defined by kindness, generosity, quiet determination, and an unwavering work ethic. Alma beloved mother, grandmother, and treasured friend, passed away peacefully at her home in Waterloo on July 6, 2026, at the age of 92.

Growing up on the family farm, Alma developed a work ethic that stayed with her throughout her life. She was never one to sit still and was always the first to ask, "What can I do? I can't just stand here and watch you all work!"— usually after she had already cleaned, cooked, painted, sewn, or spent hours tending the garden. She took enormous pride in her home and yard, where countless dandelions met their fate at the edge of her trusty butcher knife.

Alma was a woman of many talents. She brought exceptional organizational skills and meticulous attention to detail to her career as a bookkeeper, helping many small businesses succeed, first in Toronto and later in Waterloo after moving there in 1969 to purchase a home and be closer to the family farm.

Music was another lifelong love. Inspired by her mother, Alma became an accomplished pianist, earning her Grade 8 certification from the Royal Conservatory of Music, although she would be the first to say she never played often enough.

Despite growing up beside Lake Huron, Alma didn't learn to swim until her 50s, when she enrolled in adult lessons at Breithaupt Pool. She continued swimming well into her 80s, often as the only student in the class. While swimming came later in life, bowling was a lifelong passion. As recently as this spring, she was still proudly competing in her women's five-pin bowling league, cherishing Wednesday afternoons, the annual banquets, and the many friendships she built over the years. From September through April, Wednesday bowling was simply non-negotiable.

Lakeview Farm always held a special place in Alma's heart. It connected generations of her family, who settled there after arriving from Scotland in the 1850s. It was also the place where Alma met Gordon, who was visiting the neighbours while in from Alberta. Like so many others, he joined one of the lively ceilidhs held around the family piano, accompanied by bagpipes, a drummer, and neighbours filling the front room with music and laughter. Alma often brought Martha and the other "big city girls" from Toronto to experience weekends at the farm. Gordon spent the next 55 years loving both Alma and Lakeview Farm just as deeply.

To Alma, family extended far beyond relatives. Friends and neighbours simply became family. Whether it was road trip adventures in the Shasta with Gordon and Kay, raucous evenings on Avenue Road in Yorkville with Martha and Frank, the spur of the moment lake trips with Joyce, travelling with Marion or holiday dinners with Sandra and Royce, everyone was welcomed with the same warmth, loyalty, and generosity. Once you were family, Alma gave you her whole heart.

She was a gracious lady, an exceptional listener, and someone who could gently steer a conversation with only a few words. Even in recent years, as dementia gradually became part of her journey, Alma's remarkable organizational skills evolved into creative routines that allowed her to continue living independently in the home she loved. Her carefully kept calendars, handwritten notes, and unwavering determination helped her remain happily at home with only minimal support. Through it all, she remained cheerful, smiling, engaged, and grateful. She simply liked to keep busy.

Alma will be deeply missed by her devoted son, Steven; daughter-in-law, Kara; cherished granddaughters, Megan and Kate; and the many relatives, friends, and neighbours who became part of her extended family.

She was predeceased by her beloved husband and lifelong love, Gordon (2011), and by their daughter, Barbie (1971).

As every evening sky reminded Alma, there is beauty in every sunset. Those who knew and loved her will forever see a little of her whenever the day ends in colour.

A Celebration of Life visitation will be held at Erb & Good Family Funeral Home, 171 King St. S, Waterloo, on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made to Community Support Connections (Meals on Wheels) or The Alzheimer Society. Donations can be arranged through the funeral home at 519-745-8445 or www.erbgood.com.