Ruth Hooker- for the love of all children

Ruth Hooker (nee Moody) was born in Selkirk on June 19, 1900, to Richard Cobden Moody (commonly known as RC) and Hester Adeline Moody (nee Moore). Ruth was the youngest of four children, and by her own admission, rather spoiled by her adoring parents and three siblings, Harry, James and Myrtle. Theirs was a busy household as her father was a popular entrepreneur that ran a hardware, flour & feed, tin-smithing and undertaking business.

The Moody Family Beginnings

Originally an immigrant from London, England, RC quickly became engaged in all aspects of building Selkirk into a progressive community. He encouraged industries to locate to the town, and served on both the Town Council, School Board and the boards of Knox Presbyterian and the United Church of Canada. Church attendance, social activities and involvement were central to their lives. All his endeavors were supported by Hester, his adoring wife. They often entertained guests in their home. It was said of Hester, “She opened her heart and her home to all her children’s friends. Many a bundle of clothes and parcel of food went out the back door to the needy too.” Years later Ruth recalled in her writing, “My mind is full of the happy times we had in that fine Christian home.” This upbringing would contribute to Ruth’s love of family, children, church, and community.

Church Involvement

In 1922, the Presbyterian and Methodist churches merged to create the United Church of Canada. Ruth and her parents moved to the new church. Ruth’s older brother Harry chose to remain with the Presbyterian church despite Ruth’s insistence that “the good Presbyterians joined the United Church.” Ruth eventually became one of the first deaconesses. Since only single women could hold this position, she gave up the title when she married Gordon Hooker in 1924. She would continue to be active in the church and taught Sunday School.

Building Community

Following in her father’s footsteps, Ruth joined the school board, becoming the Chair for most of the 1940’s. When Selkirk was replacing Victoria School, she donated land for a playground at the new school under construction.

Ruth was widely known to help people through her church work, IODE and the war effort, but it wasn’t until 1946 that she would happen upon a project that would bring her deep satisfaction. The Unitarian Service War Orphan Adoption Plan would provide information about children who have been adversely affected by WWII in countries all over the world. For a donation of $15 per month this organization would help to provide food, shelter, and education to children in need in war torn countries. After three months a donor became a foster parent, and a picture and case history of an orphan was sent to the donor. She and Gordon would eventually foster 31 children in need from many countries of the world that included, India, France, Greece, Spain, Austria, Italy and former Czechoslovakia. She said, “We Canadians have a tremendous amount to be thankful for and this is a really small thing we and many other Canadians are doing. But it is giving these children something in life.”

Ruth was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes following her pregnancies in the 1920’s. Drs. Banting and Best discovered insulin treatment in 1921. Although this treatment was in its infancy, it extended her life. However, the damage caused by diabetes weakened her heart leading to her premature death in 1957.

At the time leading up to her death, she and Elsie McKay, a noted Selkirk historian, were writing a community history book describing the first 75 years of Selkirk. It would eventually be published after her death.

The Legacy

Ruth Hooker was a treasure of her time. She cared for all children, their welfare, happiness, and education, near and far, not only her own but others who lost their parents. Her care for showed a deep devotion steeped in her faith. In a time when public buildings were dedicated to men and Royalty, the Town of Selkirk dedicated their new school to Ruth Hooker, a woman who touched the hearts and lives of children in her community and around the world. Ruth Hooker School stands at 430 Morris Avenue. The school mission statement reads, “We strive for the important things in life: friendship, co-operation and success.” Ruth Hooker would be proud to know that those values carry her name today.