Children's Hospital of East Ontario Remembers Therapeutic Clown Molly Penny in Ruth Cull's Ottawa, Ontario, Obituary

 A beloved member of the Ottawa community, Ruth Cull is most remembered for her outstanding performance as CHEO's (Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario) therapeutic clown, Molly Penny. For more than 20 years, Ruth helped innumerable kids and their families through some of their worst hours by providing them with courage, fun, and consolation.

Ruth's work at CHEO was her vocation, not just a job. She gave young patients a safe place to laugh, smile, and temporarily forget their problems by using her talent for humor, empathy, and inventiveness. Her special talent for fusing play and compassion contributed to creating a legacy that will motivate upcoming generations of medical clowns and caretakers.

Her coworkers characterize her as a ray of sunshine, a tenacious child champion, and a reliable resource for families navigating the medical environment. Ruth's influence went well beyond CHEO's boundaries; she came to represent tenacity, optimism, and the restorative potential of interpersonal relationships.

Outside of work, Ruth was a lively, incredibly compassionate individual who cherished kindness, creativity, and community. She found ways to make others around her laugh and feel happy, and she lived her life with purpose.

After a quiet death, Ruth Cull left behind a legacy that will influence the CHEO community for years to come. She will be remembered for her kindness and love for everyone she encountered, not only for Molly Penny's red nose and bright grin.

Ruth, we are grateful that you taught us the value of happiness even in the most trying times.