Ruth Jane Gribben

Ruth Jane Gribben
December 3, 1944 - February 13, 2026

Ruth Jane Gribben, known to all as Jane, passed away peacefully in her sleep in Toronto on February 13, 2026, at the age of 81, following a brief but courageous battle with cancer.

Born to Ruth Irene Paget and Charles Norman Paget in Hamilton, Jane was a woman of sharp intellect, deep empathy, and an unmistakable sparkle in her eye. As a single mother, she was the bedrock of her family, raising her children, Michael, Stephanie (Price), and Kimberly (Shreeve), with a rare combination of kindness, strength, and a fierce commitment to equity. Jane proudly carried forward her own mother’s passion for feminism and social justice; Ruth Paget was a woman well ahead of her time, and Jane ensured that the legacy of progress and fairness was instilled in her own children and grandchildren.

Jane’s legacy is perhaps best felt in the home she built on Shadybrook. Though the house was small, Jane ensured it was always "full" - not just of people, but of a togetherness often lost in the modern world. She taught her children the vital importance of independence, yet modeled a life where the door was always open, and the rooms were filled with love. Her children will forever cherish the quiet, one-on-one moments that defined their bond: the steady rhythm of doing dishes together during the weekly rotation, and the special trips she carefully saved for to take each child on individually during their early teens.

Jane’s competitive spirit was legendary. Whether she was focused on a game of Cribbage or Scrabble, or marking a card at Bingo, she played with a sharp mind and a wonderful sense of humor. In her later years, she brought that same spirit to Leaside Retirement Living by Rivera, where she will be dearly missed by the friends and staff who became part of her daily life.

Jane’s strength lives on in her children: Michael (Amanda), Stephanie (Craig), Kimberly (Dave), and her grandchildren: Liam, Maeya, Keegan, Sita (Marlowe), Sophia, Isabella, and Brett. She is also survived by her beloved sister and best friend, Joan Paget, as well as her nieces and great-nieces: Kathy May, Sara Lynn, Hannah, and Ruthie.

The family will mark Jane's life with a private celebration in her honour. We ask that you please think of Jane the next time you play your favourite board game or card game.

In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society or the Canadian Mental Health Association.