Ruby Iris (Farrell) Harbin

Ruby Iris Harbin

North Sydney

 It is with great sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of our cherished mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother Ruby Iris (Farrell) Harbin, age 90, at home, on Tuesday, December 13, 2022. 

 Born in Port aux Basques, Newfoundland on March 10, 1932, Ruby was the daughter of William and Minnie (Skeard) Farrell.  In 1949 Ruby married the love of her life, Harry, and settled in North Sydney.  Together they raised their ten children.  Family was everything to Ruby, which was evident in the deep relationships she nurtured with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren to whom she conveyed her great wisdom and life lessons with much love.  As well as raising her family, she was employed by Sears Canada and finished her career as a manager with Zellers where she was highly regarded by her co-workers.

 Ruby is survived by her children Brenda (James) Cook, Wayne (Betty), Donna (Brian) Smith, Harry (Wanda), Judith Mahar, Ruby Harbin (Pat Juchli), Edith (William) Penny, Darlene (Michael) Long, Andrew (Beth) and Jeffrey (Janice).  Also survived by her twenty four grandchildren, Nick, Andy, Peter, Daniel, Michael, Jennifer, Heather, Adam, Sean, Ian, Rodney, Laura, Bill, Steve, Mike, Jason, Shana, Josh, Jordon, Tiffany, Marybeth, Matthew, Hanna, Emily; also by her 28 great-grandchildren; Samantha, Robyn, Reid, Max, Leo, Izzy, Freya, Tyler, Jaimie, Ruby, Leo, Frank, Paige, Julian, Sophie, Liam, Rhyan, Bridget, Eric, Mila, Sadie Jean, Alana, Lila, Noah, Lucas, Hudson, Molly and Anna, all of whom she loved dearly. Ruby is also survived by her sister Nina McGregor and sister-in-law Edith Farrell.

 Besides her parents Ruby was also predeceased by her husband Harry, son-in-law Robert Mahar, daughter-in-law Cheryl MacLean Harbin; great-granddaughter Melissa, great-grandson Jack and by six of her siblings, Bernice, Joyce, Leonard, Calvin, Colin and Lorne. 

 The Harbin family would like to express their sincere gratitude to Ruth Ivey and Karen Dominey, loving caregivers for many years, Dr Alex Wawer, the palliative care/homecare team and VON.  We would also like to thank her neighbours for their support and keeping a close watch as Cape Breton folks do.  Just knowing you were there for her meant a lot. 

 In keeping with Ruby’s wishes there will be a family celebration of life at a later date.  Arrangements are under the care and direction of W.J. Dooley Funeral Home, 107 Pleasant Street, North Sydney.  Memorial donations may be made to the CF Foundation or charity of choice. On line condolences may be sent to the family by leaving a message on the tribute wall of the obituary at www.wjdooley.com.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Ruby Iris (Farrell) Harbin, please visit our floral store.