By Joanne Rodgers,
Bruce Peninsula Press
Ruth Tompkins, a long-time resident of Lion’s Head, donated $100,000 to local healthcare initiatives – $50,000 to the Golden Dawn Senior Citizen Home’s Redevelopment Fund and $50,000 to the Bruce Peninsula Hospital Foundation’s Endowment Fund. This $100,000 donation is to commemorate her 100th year. In September 2025, she would have turned 100 years old. Sadly, Ruth suddenly fell ill and passed away on 13 August 2025.
Ruth has always been community-minded and decided as a gesture of gratitude and support to give donations to “two of our most important Health Care facilities.” Ruth had not wanted any fanfare around her donation, but agreed that this publicity would be good to raise awareness of the re-development fund and endowment fund that support local healthcare.
Ruth had a life-long connection to Grey Bruce and especially to the Northern Bruce Peninsula. Although Ruth spent her childhood in Saskatchewan, she was actually born in Walkerton, Ontario on September 03, 1925, while her mother was visiting her mom and dad (Ruth’s grandparents).
Ruth first visited the Bruce Peninsula when she was just a few months old. Her grandfather (Maj. F. B. James) was, at the time, the Bruce County Engineer. He was also the architect of St. Margaret’s Church, Cape Chin. Baby Ruth and her mother accompanied him to Cape Chin while he surveyed the property that was to be the site of the Church.
Ruth made many trips over the years to Lion’s Head including visits to her sister Edith and her cousins the James’.
Ruth bought the old ‘Shouldice’ property on Moore Street in Lion’s Head and became a permanent resident following her retirement in 1990. She spent her final five years at Golden Dawn.
Ruth loved music and was a long-time member of the Bruce Peninsula Spirit Singers Community Choir and was still singing in the choir at Christ Church, Lion’s Head into her early nineties. Even to her last days she remained a formidable Scrabble player and maintained strong connections within the Golden Dawn community.
Caring for Tomorrow Endowment Fund
April Patry, Executive Director, Bruce Peninsula Hospitals Foundation states “The Caring for Tomorrow Endowment Fund is committed to ensuring the future of our Bruce Peninsula Hospitals by financing vital medical equipment through the income generated from donations. Ruth’s incredibly generous contribution to the endowment fund will create a lasting legacy that supports exceptional rural healthcare for years to come. Her thoughtful and substantial gift will be fully dedicated to Brightshores Lion’s Head Hospital for generations ahead.”
Golden Dawn Redevelopment Fund
Brian Taylor, Chair of Golden Dawn hopes that Ruth’s example of generosity will inspire others in the community to consider a similar gesture. He says the plans for the redevelopment of Golden Dawn are on-going. The proposal for the redevelopment has to be submitted to the province’s Ministry of Health by Fall 2025.
For more information on opportunities to donate:
-Bruce Peninsula Hospital Foundation
Contact: (519) 534-5856
Email: admin@bphfoundation.com
-Golden Dawn Senior Citizens Home
Contact: (519) 793-3433
Email: admin@goldendawn.ca
