Ruby Anita Mackay passed away on the morning of January 20, 2025 at Creekside Landing, Vernon BC at the age of 97. Ruby is survived by her daughter Judith Kimmerly (Jim), her grandchildren Alex (Lisa), & great grandson Theodore Troll, Nicholas (Saadiqha) Troll, and Noelle (Andrew) Troll. She was predeceased by her son Gordon Mackay in 2002 and her husband Don Mackay of 66 years in 2013.

Ruby was born on November 1, 1927 in Prince Rupert, BC; she had 2 brothers, Ralph & George Anderson whom she felt close to all her life. From Norwegian heritage, they ate a lot of fish which somehow i attribute to her long life! She was happily married to Don when she was young (she had 4 proposals but chose my Dad, yay) and had her first child Gordon who unfortunately had hemophilia, a difficult disease to navigate for new parents. Life went on but they waited to have another child for almost 10 years, and then came a daughter, Judi (Me):)

Ruby was a homemaker, but had a passion for learning and attended university classes for the joy of it. She was well read and had a passion for books, as I always remember coming home from school and her reading Agatha Christie novels in the living room. Yes, she read them all, devouring all kinds of mystery books over the years. She belonged to a Bowling League, Bridge Club, sewed clothes, took up quilting, kept the house immaculate, learned to golf (or she would have never seen my Dad !) if you can’t beat them, join them attitude, and she became quite good too!  She also liked to debate politics and worldviews with my older brother. We travelled to Hawaii every year for family vacations and she and my Dad belonged to the golf club too.

My Dad worked for CN for 40 years and they had a wonderful group of lifelong friends, they played bridge, went to parties, had vacations, golfed, and just had  a wonderful life. When my Dad retired and because they were avid golfers they retired to the island and built their dream home on the 3rd fairway of The Royal Colwood golf course and happily golfed their days away. They travelled extensively seeing the world. When their grandchildren came along, they followed them by moving to Invermere, then Vernon and Salmon Arm. My Mom also loved going to Las Vegas and Reno, we had many fun trips, and I can truly say she never met a slot machine she didn’t like, plus she was very lucky!

Ruby (my Mom ) was a truly beautiful woman, inside and out, classy, loving, strong willed and spoiled all of us with her infinite love, I will miss her with all of my heart, and so will her grandchildren. She lived a beautiful long life. We got so lucky having her for this many years, and I can’t think of a better Mom, she was one in a million…

Thank you to all the wonderful staff at “Creekside Landing” that cared for her with compassion, dignity and respect.

Celebration of Life to be arranged for the Spring 2025 in Vernon, BC

 

Funeral Arrangements have been entrusted to Pleasant Valley Funeral Home,

Phone: 250-542-4333

Condolences may be offered at www.pleasantvalleyfh.com