It would have been nice too have finished the story here, but live is cruel. Dolly was hit and killed by a car, whist Ruth was walking her. Life stopped that moment for Ruth, she went into shock and withdrew from everything, no longer venturing out from Duff House, she rapidly declined. This forced solitude lead quickly to dementia, one of her lifelong fears. Mercifully for her, she was diagnosed with bowel cancer the following week and soon after died peacefully, in her own bed aged eighty-eight.
She left behind her the accumulation of a lifetimes paintings, many stunning works and a beautiful legacy, but also a sad reflection to the lack of public acclaim.
These pictures should be out there, hanging for all to see.
Self portrait
Watercolour on paper
18 x 34 cm
Ref: DSC_0545.JPG