Ruth Wilhelmena Tuzo Talbot J.P. 1923-2009

Ruth was born the 4th child of Wellington and Adelaide Tuzo of North Shore Devonshire. Her sister was Elizabeth Liz Seymour and four brothers were Alan, Truman Sr., Ross and Floyd. She attended Central School and the Berkeley Institute. She later worked as a Lino-Typist at Hamilton Press where she typed the Minutes of the House of Assembly and the Legislative Council during the War. She attended Business School in New York City for a year. On returning to Bermuda she found a position at her former elementary school as the first Government Elementary School Secretary in 1951. In 1955, she attended the Central State University in Ohio and received the Business Education Degree. Upon returning home she began teaching at the Berkeley Institute Commercial Department and when it closed, she transferred to Sandy’s Secondary and worked there for several years. She later taught at the Adult Education School. and worked on the syllabus for the BSSC, Bermuda Secondary School Certificate for the subjects Shorthand, Typewriting and Office Practice.

In Ruth’s early childhood she attended Sunday School and Church at Grace Methodist Church on North Shore Road on the Boundary of Devonshire. She sang in the junior choir under the direction of Violet White Mallory and toured the Island singing many sacred songs with Mrs. Mallory’s group. She also participated in the drills at that time wearing colorful paper dresses and these took place at various Bazaar’s and Lodges with the North Village Band at various other location around the Island. She joined Mrs. Mary Hayward in her teenagers club and hiked each summer to either end of the Island.

She joined the Third Pembroke Girl Guide Company which started in 1953 and served them for 30 years she travelled with many teenage guides to Canada, Toronto and Barbados. She was Secretary for the Central District Guiders and Assistant District Commissioner for several years.

She joined the Central Flower Lodge #2 in 1935 at 12 years old and worked her way through to the adult Lodge Mayflower # 9387 working her way through every chair to become a Past Noble Grand. She was well groomed by such senior sister as Cecilie Williams, Dora Beek and Essell Trott. She would be the first to tell you how being a member taught one good speaking skills and deportment.

In 1963, Ruth married Mr. Bernard Lynn Talbot and though that union did not produced any children it lasted for 13yrs until his passing. However they made the most of their union and travelled extensively visiting Alaska, Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, America, Caribbean, Europe, Hawaii, Panama and the Holy Land.

Sister Ruth received several award. In May 17th she was among several of our seniors honored on the Mayflower Lodges 90th anniversary held at Heard Chapel Church. She became a member of the Bermudian Heritage Association and Bermuda Friendly Societies. Received certificates for services rendered from The Fellowship Circle, Grace Church, Sandys Secondary, The Adult Education School, Pembroke Rotary Club, Paul Harris Fellow and the Girl Guides Association and as a Member of the Bermuda Business Teachers Association. She Represented Bermuda at Several U.S. A. National Conferences.

Well done sister surely when your reached the gates of the Grand Lodge you were welcomed with open arms.

Researched by Joy Wilson-Tucker