Ruth B. Cook

Biographical information provided by Lenie Nilsen, for the He Tohu exhibition:

Ruth Brown Cook of Scottish descent was born in 1872.  She married William Kerr Junior in 1902. William, who had been a butcher and later a wool classer, died at 81 years on 30 November 1950 at Abbotsford, and Ruth died at 71 years in 1943 – both are buried at Green Island Cemetery.

Ruth and William had two girls – Jessie Cook (1903-1984), and Ruth Brown Cook - (1904-1999). 

In 1929 Jessie married Donald Miller Ritchie.  Donald had been the treasurer and five of his family members were in the choir of the Balclutha Presbyterian Church before his family moved to Dunedin. An article is recorded “Ritchie Family Farewelled”. Jessie died as a widow at 81 years and is also buried at the Green Island Cemetery. 

Ruth Brown Cook married Edward Stephen Gale (a divorcee) in 1931, Edward died in 1976 at 77 years.

Her sister Jessie Cook signed the same sheet.