Ruthanne Mercedes van der Laan

Ruthanne passed away peacefully at University Hospital, London on Wednesday, December 3, 2025 from a broken heart surrounded by her loving family. She was predeceased in life but not the love for her husband of 60 years, Mels van der Laan. 

It was a love story that spanned the country. They were soulmates from the day they met and they returned to the London area to spend their retirement years together on a small country farm blessed to be with friends and family. 

She is predeceased by Ogle Cecil Downing and Irene Marie Downing nee Colby, the grandparents who lovingly raised her; by her daughter Nicole van der Laan whom she lovingly raised; and her brothers and sisters.

 She is survived by the proud sons she raised, John (Jodi) van der Laan, Marc (Laurie) van der Laan and Matthew (Mary Marghella) van der Laan. She will be dearly missed by her grandchildren Jaime (Richard), Sarah (Matt), Jessica, Nicholas (Samantha), Noah, Jacob, Hailey, Joshua, Luke and Christopher, and her greatgrands Marisol and Elisar will miss their Nanna.

 Thank you to all who cared for her in her final days, as she is now reunited with the love of her life.

 Visitors will be received in the O’Neil Funeral Home, 350 William St., London on Sunday, December 7, 2025 from 2:00 until 4:00 p.m. Visitors will also be received from 10:00 a.m. until the time of The Mass of Christian Burial which will be celebrated in All Saints Church,124 Front Street E., Strathroy, Ontario on Monday, December 8, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. Interment St. Peter’s Cemetery, London.

 Online condolences & Guest Book at www.oneilfuneralhome.ca