Ruby MacKean
Born In: North Sydney
Born: April 2nd, 1924
Passed in: Sydney
Passed on: June 25th, 2016
Like film star Marilyn Munroe and poet Oscar Wilde, Ruby Frances MacKean didn’t worry much about time. Ruby was never in a rush or played to the clock; she always arrived at her destination relaxed and refined, with aplomb and her delightful smile.
Ruby passed on Saturday, June 25, 2016, at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital, Sydney.
Ruby had recently celebrated her 92nd birthday, yet she was very much young at heart. Ruby’s love of celebrations was the stuff of family legend: her collection of Christmas decorations – particularly an awe-inspiring under-the-tree village – was envied by family and friends.
Ruby’s impeccable memory was no match for Wikipedia; she was the go-to for family lore, civic history and all things that happened before the Internet.
Ruby’s passion for fashion, her business acumen and her sharp wit served her well in jobs at Canadian Tire, Lingan Golf Club, McCurdy’s department store and Harold’s women’s wear in downtown Sydney. Ruby was on the board of the Tower Heights Housing Co-operative – where she lived – for more than 20 years.
Unlike Miss Daisy, Ruby drove herself; in the 1960s and ‘70s she could be spotted, wearing Jackie-O-like sunglasses and a kerchief, about town in her massive, white 1962 Buick Electra four door, hard top, which she stored at night in her mysterious, James Bond-ish underground garage in her home on Richardson Avenue.
Ruby was born April 2, 1924, in North Sydney; she was a daughter of the late Henry ‘Harry’ and Emily (Roberts) King.
Ruby was a member of the former St. Andrew’s United Church, Sydney, and a longtime member of the UCW. In the past few years, she regularly attended The Salvation Army in Sydney.
Ruby’s social circle was broad; golf and curling were mainstays – she had been an active member at Lingan and of the Sydney Curling Club.
Ruby is survived by her stepson, Gerald (Wanda); nieces Major Ruth King and Rev. Shirley (Rev. Lloyd) Murdock; nephew David King (Sharon Tweedie); grandnieces Laura King, Susan King and Heidi Ruiter; grandnephew Jason Murdock; four great-grandnieces and two great-grandnephews.
Ruby was predeceased by her husband, Watson MacKean. Ruby was the last surviving member of her immediate family; she was predeceased by her sister, Frances (in infancy) and brother, Claude.
As was Ruby’s wish, a graveside service will be held at Forest Haven Memorial Gardens on Tuesday, July 12 at 11 a.m. with Rev. Lloyd Murdock officiating. A reception will follow at The Salvation Army Sydney Community Church, Inglis Street.
Ruby won’t mind if you’re fashionably late.
Donations in Ruby’s memory can be made to the Canadian Cancer Society or any organization that does good work.
Words of comfort can be sent to the family at www.sydneymemorialchapel.ca or e-mail sydneymemorialchapel@ns.sympatico.ca.
