Ruta Gryta Skelton's Obituary
Ruta's parents, Marta Zvilius and Arturas Paulaitis, fled their native Lithuania with the advance of the Nazis. Meeting and marrying in Canada, the Paulaitis family started with Ruta, followed by brother Marty, sisters Christina and Dinah. A fondly remembered brother Raymond, died shortly after birth. Family events included car trips to Chicago to unite with cousins including Jurate, Arvydas and Vyto.
Early days in Windsor, Ontario were followed by a move to Toronto with Arthur's hire as the Chief Librarian for Ryerson Polytechnical Institute. Ruta fondly recalled how her dad would bring home books for her, which started her love for the printed word and creative writing. He also made it clear that her possibilities in life and career were unlimited. As a kid, there was an ironic time when she played alongside the Humber River and her future husband was close by just on the other bank. While in high school, her future career started to rev up working part-time at the desk of the College Bibliocentre.
Ruta Paulaitis, a stellar student, was accepted to and graduated from the prestigious Trinity College at the University of Toronto. She would later receive her second baccalaureate, a Journalism degree from Carlton University in Ottawa.
Summer jobs were at the idyllic and fun-filled Ontario Place on Toronto's waterfront, as a hostess and then working the desk at the operations center. Notably, she was part of a small select entourage who greeted Queen Elizabeth for an official tour of the site. Ruta also met a goofy OP patrol boat driver Dean Skelton, who she agreed to marry and with ceremony in May of 1978. Quoted afterwards, she said "I went with my heart".
In an early career leap she was hired as the assistant, then shortly thereafter, became the Copy Editor at Canada's iconic Maclean's Magazine. Summer weekends were spent cruising Georgian Bay on sailboat Reverie, until the inclusion of two youngins and two mini-schnauzers proved just too much, and so adieu to the nautical adventure period.
With the thrilling arrival of sons Geoff in April 1988 and sweet Sam in July 1993, she deftly managed family and career. Much of her professional spare time was devoted to The International Association of Business Communicators and served as the Chairman for 1994-95. But wait.. even more challenging career moves came at consulting firms Hewitt Associates and Towers Perrin. A pivotal move came in 1998, accepting an offer from Mercer in San Francisco to open their Communications practice, and 'schlepping the whole famndamily' to Montara then Miramar/Half Moon Bay, CA. For Ruta's career however, the best was yet to come, joining ROI Communication consulting practice where she loved being part of their team for twenty years.
The art of food planning, sourcing, preparation and presentation became her hobby and passion. Especially the gourmet version, to her family's delight. It was most pleasant to keep her inspired and keep her company with a special meal at a fav restaurant on the coast.
Let's just edit it now and say; a life well lived!
Classy and a truly nice person, Ruta has left a huge void in our hearts but we will always cherish her memory.
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