By PEACE IJIYERA
RESPECTED educator and librarian, Ruth Ure died last month.
Ms Ure was well known around the Latrobe Valley for her dedication to teaching at Albert Street Primary School and Elizabeth Street Primary School Moe, as well as her commitment to the church and community.
Ms Ure lived a “happy and full” 93 years of life, and leaves behind four children, 11 grandchildren and nine great grandchildren.
Her funeral was held Tuesday, February 3 at St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Moe.
Ms Ure was born on February 25, 1932 in Rochester Victoria and grew up on a farm. She loved animals, orchids, swimming, board games, church, musical entertainment and dancing. Her father reading Charles Dickens to her and her siblings, inspired her love of reading.
Leaving school in 1948 at age 16, Ms Ure acquired a role as a student teacher.
In 1950, she began her studies at Bendigo Teachers College. It was during this time that she met her husband George Ure. In 1951, Ms Ure landed her first teaching position in Nhill before getting a transfer to Corryong, closer to her husband to be.
The couple got married on September 5, 1953 and made their first home in Nariel. At this time, Ms Ure’s teaching career was put on hold, due to department regulations regarding married women. Moving to Henty, New South Wales, the couple had their first two children. In 1956, the couple moved to Moe and made it their home for more than 60 years.
In 1965, Ms Ure returned to teaching and took a position at Albert St as a teachers librarian in 1968. She held that position until 1983 before transferring to Elizabeth St where she worked as a librarian.
In the 70’s, Ms Ure went back to study and obtained a librarianship diploma. Described as a “dedicated teacher” who “loved working in the library”, Ms Ure’s love for education and seeing children thrive at school was highlighted through the tributes left online. Commenters reminisced on their fond memories of Ms Ure, thanking her for her encouragement and support in teaching children how to read and value books. Other comments left read, “When you still fondly remember your library teacher from over 50 years ago, it shows how special they were. Lovely lady.”
“Ruth was a happy, dedicated teacher who enjoyed her teaching especially when she worked in the school library”.
“Sincere condolences to Ruth’s family on her passing. I have very fond memories of days long ago when we were both at Elizabeth Street Primary School. She was always a positive, kind and caring teacher and friendly, supportive colleague”.
As her daughter said, teaching was Ms Ure’s “only professional ambition”. A creative, Ms Ure always looked forward to book week and creating elaborate costumes. In retiring, Ms Ure received recognition from the Education Department for 35 years of dedication to teaching and education.
Beyond teaching, libraries and books, Ms Ure enjoyed gardening and travelling. She visited countries including Egypt, Europe, New Zealand, Singapore and the UK, as well as exploring Australia. Camping at Mallacoota was one of her favourite spots and the pyramids of Egypt remained a highlight.
Ms Ure was very family-oriented and worked hard to preserve relations between all her extended family.
“She was enormously thankful for her life and for the richness that others brought to her,” her daughter said.
Touching the lives of children, families and the wider community, Ms Ure is being remembered as a “woman of strength”. A lady that was dedicated to her profession, a lady that loved people, and had the ability to make even strangers feel seen through authentic and valuable connections.
