Corringham: Tributes to former midwife and post lady

Tributes have been paid to a much-loved Corringham woman who ‘touched a lot of people’.
Ruth GilbertRuth Gilbert
Ruth Gilbert

Ruth Armstrong Gilbert passed away on 21st November after a short battle with cancer. She was just 48.

“She was so caring and would do anything for anyone,” said her husband William.

Born in Derbyshire, Ruth moved to Morton when she was four-years-old. She later moved to Glentham and studied to become a midwife in Scunthorpe.

“She has brought lots and lots of babies into this world and she loved her job,” said William.

Ruth and William met by chance in the village seven years ago. The couple were married at St Laurence’s Church in Corringham and moved into a cottage at Middle Street.

“We were both at a bit of a low point in our lives and it just felt right, we were right for each other,” said William.

“Before we ever knew each other, we both wanted to live in this cottage, and we ended up getting it.”

Ruth worked as a community midwife for over 20 years, working mainly in the Gainsborough area. And for the last two years, Ruth swapped delivering babies for delivering mail, as she took a job as a post lady.

“After we were married it was difficult as she was working nights and we weren’t getting to see each other,” said William.

“She decided to get a different job so that we could see each other more. She loved the outdoor life, so being a post lady seemed ideal.”

“She really enjoyed it, but she sometimes got told off for taking too long on her delivery rounds. She would often be delivering to people whose babies she’s also delivered. And everyone wanted to stop her for a chat.”

A valued member of the community, Ruth was on the village hall committee and also helped with the church.

In her moments of spare time Ruth loved being outdoors looking after her pony, chickens and dogs.

Over 150 people were at St Laurence’s last week to celebrate Ruth’s life.

“There were people there who had only met her once, but once you met her you never forgot her - she touched a lot of people,” added William.

“On one occasion when she was a midwife, she went to see a local lady who had lost her baby in hospital on her day off. She didn’t have to, but that was the kind of woman she was.”

Ruth leaves husband William, daughter Rosie, son Lewis and stepson Mark.

The family thanked everyone who attended the service and sent cards and donations. Donations go to Macmillan Cancer Support, Marie Curie Cancer Care, St.Barnabus Hospice and Saxilby District Nurses.

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