Ruth C. Canning
Ruth “Fifi” Clarke Canning, 65, of Guthrie, Oklahoma, passed away peacefully at home on August 8, 2022 with family and friends at her side.
She was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on September 10, 1956, to Mr. and Mrs. John P. Dowds, and happily attended Gatewood Elementary School with her three siblings. She attended school in San Juan, Puerto Rico, but graduated from Classen High School in Oklahoma City. Fifi received her degree in Zoology from Oklahoma State University, and later earned her MA in Education Administration.
In 1981 she married Mark Milligan, and together they had two beautiful children. Her son, Justin and daughter, Renee, born in 1986 and 1988 respectively, were always the joy of Fifi’s life.
She is preceded in death by husband, Bill Canning in 2019 and she lived the rest of her years on their farm.
Fifi grew up enthralled with nature, and spent as much time as possible with horses, pigeons, and goats (among many other critters), and was constantly raising fledglings and orphaned animals. It is no surprise that she studied veterinary sciences, and majored in zoology. A great love of her life was teaching; first at Guthrie Alternative School, and later at Guthrie Junior High, for a combined 27 years in education. She loved classroom teaching, and enjoyed the several field trips and explorations with her own two children as well as her students. Fifi always shared her exuberance for the things she loved with her kids, and encouraged them to find their own passion. She was known to take people and animals alike into her home and care for them as family.
Fifi is survived by her children, Renee Gfeller and husband, Dylan Gfeller and Justin Milligan; granddaughter, Fallon Gfeller; brothers, John J. Dowds and Samuel P. Dowds; sister, Beth Lohr; aunt, Beth Hansen; and many nieces, nephews and cousins, both here and in Norway.
A memorial service is scheduled at 11:00 A.M., Friday, September 30, 2022 at the First Christian Church, 402 East Noble Avenue in Guthrie. Arrangements are under the direction of Smith-Gallo Funeral Home, 220 North 1st St., Guthrie.
There will not be any visitation.
Condolences may be sent to Smith-Gallo Funeral Home, 220 North 1st St., Guthrie, Oklahoma 73044.
Friends may sign the online guestbook at www. smithgallo.com.