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Ruth Evelyn (Archibald) MacKay

Ruth Evelyn (Archibald) MacKay

MacKAY (Archibald), Ruth Evelyn – 86, Brookside, Colchester County, passed away peacefully Monday evening, June 19, 2017, at MacLeod House, Hilden. Ruth was born in Denver, Guysborough County, in 1931, and was the youngest daughter of the late Fisher and Bessie (Fenton) Archibald. A forestry family, they operated a sawmill there for generations. She often told of having to walk two miles to open and close the dam so her father and brothers could saw wood. She was schooled in Newtown until she left the rural life to attend Dartmouth High School then Normal College in Truro. She taught in Berwick and Truro before marriage and substituted for many years after. She married James MacKay of East River St. Mary's in 1957 in Sherbrooke and started a family in Dartmouth. The Caldwell Road gang built their own houses together and stayed close. Jim and Ruth were founding members of Iona Presbyterian Church, Dartmouth. When business opportunities took them to Truro in 1972, they settled into the long-time family home. Having four boys meant that she always had a house full of neighbourhood kids and her cookies were famous. She was a member of St. James Presbyterian Church, Truro, and was their first female elder on the Kirk Session. She was also active as a Sunday school teacher, and with the WMS (later AMS) group. She was very appreciative of her church family and made many lifetime friendships. She also volunteered for the Canadian Cancer Society and was a literacy teacher. In her spare time she traveled, square danced, gardened and taught her competitive game playing to her children. Almost unbeatable at Scrabble, she honed her formidable skills doing daily crossword puzzles. Devoted to her families, she was always available to help. Living in the Hubtown meant that many dinners were stretched to feed brothers and sisters or friends passing though. Her annual getaways with her sisters and nieces were also special. The Archibald family reunions are large, sprawling affairs and she was an avid attendee. She looked forward to the time she could spend with the many generations present. Her favourite place was at the cottage by the lake with her grandchildren beside her. Holidays spent there always left an impression. She is survived by her husband of 59 years, James; sons, Stephen (Kathy), Fredericton; Michael, Toronto; Roderick (Laura), Truro; Richard (Marilee), Halifax; grandchildren, Colin (Amy), Alice, Neil, Kellen; great-grandchildren, Luke, Tobias: brothers, Raymond Archibald, Eldon (Olive) Archibald, Denver; honourary daughter, Lucrecia Hernandez; honourary grandson, Alexander; sisters-in-law, Muriel Archibald, Denver; Marilyn Archibald; Annapolis Valley; brothers-in-law, Russell Porter, Dartmouth; Eldon Taylor, Dartmouth. Along with her parents, she was predeceased by her brothers, Joe (Margie) Archibald, Clarence (Joyce) Archibald, Frank Archibald, Robert (Ethel) Archibald, John Archibald, Harold Archibald; sisters, Vera (Sterling) Taylor, Isabel Porter, Hazel (Stewart) Dunn and Muriel. Appreciation is expressed to Donna and the staff of MacLeod House, Hilden, for their loving care over the past five years, Dr. Bruce Phillips and the VON. Arrangements have been entrusted to Mattatall – Varner Funeral Home, 55 Young Street, Truro, where Ruth’s family will receive friends from 5-8 p.m., Friday, June 23, 2017. Funeral service will be held 11 a.m., Saturday, June 24, 2017, in St. James Presbyterian Church, 725 Prince Street, Truro, Reverend Tim Archibald (Ruth’s nephew) officiating. Reception will follow in the church hall. Interment in Bible Hill Cemetery, Warren Drive, Bible Hill. In lieu of flowers, donations in Ruth’s memory to St. James Presbyterian Church, Truro, are welcomed. Private messages of condolence may be sent to the family by viewing Ruth’s obituary on-line and selecting “Send A Condolence” at: www.mattatallvarnerfh.com

 

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