MALTESE, Ruth Maltese

It is with a broken heart that we announce the passing of Ruth Maltese on Thursday, September 25th, 2025. Ruth passed at home surrounded by family after a hard fight with cancer.

When sick and in unmeasurable amounts of pain, her fight was never for her but for her kids. When asked how she was doing, the famous “it is what it is” always got thrown around. She was stronger than any person should ever have had to be.

Her strength wasn’t loud or boastful. It was in the quiet way she lifted others up, the way she kept going even when things were hard, the way she showed up—for everyone. It’s how she stood firm in her faith and in her love for her family.

A special thank you to Dr. Berti for her kind heart and amazing care throughout this journey.

Ruth was adopted in infancy by Jacob & Anne Dueck. She always felt she was one of the chosen ones’, in the fact that Jacob and Anne chose her to be a part of their family. When she came into the family she was joined by an older brother of 3 years, Samuel who was also adopted from the same biological parents. As an infant she lived in the city of St. Catharines. There her parents Jacob & Anne Dueck also took in a number of foster children. They had a heart for those children who were suffering or homeless. At the age of 2 they all moved to a farm on Line 4 in Virgil. Ruth resided there and worked there throughout her childhood and teenage years with her family.

At the age of 16 Ruth was baptized.

At the age of 17 Ruth attended Bethany Bible Institute in Hepburn, Saskatchewan and had a wonderful year there. To this day, she has kept in contact with her friends from school.

Ruth married Peter Maltese in December 2nd 1989 and was blessed with three children, Amber, Nathaniel and Kristen.

Ruth wanted to be a “stay at home” mom so that she could always be there for her children. She met that goal through faithfully working on the family farm through her childhood, teenage and adult years while raising her children.

In May 2006 she became a grandmother to Tyler. Another blessing added to her family.

She was always there for family, friends and anyone in need. To know her was to love her and to be loved by her was the biggest blessing anyone could ask for.

She leaves to mourn her husband Peter, her children Amber (Dustin) Holowachuk, Nathaniel, and Kristen (Steven) Schroeder, and her grandson Tyler Holowachuk. Predeceased by her mother Anne Dueck (2016) her father Jacob Dueck (2017), and her brother Samuel (2019).

Visitation will be held from 5 -7 p.m. on Thursday, October 2 at Tallman Funeral Homes Ltd., 3277 King St. Vineland.

A celebration of Ruth’s life will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Friday, October 3, 2025, followed by refreshments and fellowship from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. This will take place at Central Community Church (680 York Rd., Niagara-on-the-Lake).