Posted on
March 7, 2022
by
ruthie shugarman
On this special day, I want to tell you about two cool women whose friendship inspires me. Meet Ruth Brock and my mom Jean Cooperberg. These two are peas in a pod. They met in nursing school at UBC when they were 17, both from the Prairies. They were sorority sisters and became soul sisters! Ever since then, they have lived great lives, side by side and always laughing. Following school, these two beauties traveled to Europe and ended up working in London England for awhile and breaking hearts in every country.
Both ended up raising families in West Vancouver and laughing their way through young children and apparently sharing wine to survive the kid birthday parties. After kids, they both went back to nursing in the same department at VGH and so alike, even the patients would mix them up. For the last 40 years, the two of them were Docents at the Vancouver Art Gallery, touring school groups through dozens and dozens of art exhibits - yes together again. This winter I got the chance to spend a few days with them in Palm Springs. I got to join in on the giggles, stories, memories and inside jokes. I felt both lucky and envious of the long standing years of such a beautiful and tight friendship.
Ruthie and Jeannie are joined at the hip and are a twosome to be looked up to. Always busy, always generous with charities, always caring for each other and always always laughing. My mom is sick right now and Ruth is by her side, on the phone, bringing muffins and making her days lighter and brighter. This friendship is like no other. I am sending these two extra love so their friendship can continue and continue. Happy International Women's Day Jeannie and Ruthie.