After a long period hoping to recover, Ruth MacNeil passed away painlessly at 10 p.m., May 31, 2022, in the Cape Breton Regional Hospital, Sydney. She was 88.
We are deeply grateful for the care and attention she received by the physicians, nurses, and other hospital staff while under their care.
Ruth is survived by her daughters, Deborah and Michelle; son, Bruce (Patricia); sisters, Shirley (Pat) and Florence (Kenny); brother, Howard (Elaine); grandchildren, Alyssa, Brehan, Connor, Cailean, Morgan and Liam; and three great-grandchildren, along with many nieces and nephews.
Ruth was predeceased by her husband, Malcolm; son, Shawn; parents, John and Geneva Nardocchio; sister, Mary; brother, John (Mary); and sisters-in-law, Anne (Gerald), Rita and Dave.
Ruth was always a step ahead of her time. As a mother to four children, she worked as an elementary school teacher in Sydney, South Bar, and Westmount, retiring in 1991 after a total of 36 years. She mentored generations of school children with a warmth and grace that followed her throughout her life. Students often spotted her in a crowd and spoke to her impact on their lives. Ruth never let go of her hobbies and always continued her personal projects, only to emerge sometime later with a new painting, inspired by the nature, people, and culture of Cape Breton Island. Replicated prints have reached multiple generations in her orbit, and we’re all the better for it. Her baking was prolific and shared generously, personified by shortbread cookies, fudge, and everything else amply supplied with sugar.
It is common to say, but Ruth was a unique soul that gave more than is possible to receive, and imbibed the greatest virtues of a time quickly disappearing. Fine fish or lobster dinners, prepared after a fresh catch, and conversations that were unattached to any clock were Ruth specials. Marks on the wooden floor from a time-proven rocking chair preserve a lifelong story of Ruth MacNeil calling family and friends, organizing and volunteering with the community on countless events across decades, preparing bridge nights — tournaments even— with victorious tea; she dutifully took notes to always to be reminded, and to be involved. Although that space and chair are empty, her memory and influence live through those she encountered in life.
Please join us to celebrate this remarkable woman. Visitation will take place at Sydney Memorial Chapel on Sunday, June 5 from 4-7 p.m. A funeral service will be held at Big Pond Community Church (7215 East Bay Hwy) on Monday, June 6 at 11 a.m., with a reception to follow at 12 p.m. in the Big Pond Fire Hall next to the church.
Words of comfort can be sent to the family at www.sydneymemorialchapel.ca or e-mail sydneymemorialchapel@ns.sympatico.ca
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Ruth Geneva MacNeil 2022..
Death notice for the town of: Sydney, Province: Nova Scotia
There are not enough words in the English dictionary to describe this warm, wonderful and loving woman. She was a dear friend to many ! I cannot express how her love and kindness towards me helped me deal with the loss of my own mother. My mom, Etta Mac Neil ,my dad Vince , Malkie and Ruthie shared so many fun times together ! When my mom passed Ruthie was always that warm and loving person who gave me comfort whenever I would come back home to Big Pond. She and Michelle would make tea and biscuits with cream for me ,or some other treats and we would sit for hours and get caught up on what was going on in our lives. I know Ruthie is in Heaven with her beloved Malcolm , and I am sure my own dear mom is happy to welcome her. I know there will be a big loss in my heart when I come back home and she is not there. Ruthie was “one of a kind” and I loved her. I am glad she is at peace, but its all of her family and friends that she leaves behind that we need to remembered in our prayers. My deepest condolences to Michelle, Bruce ( Trish ), Debbie and all her beloved grandchildren and great grandchildren whom she loved dearly and was so proud of ! Ruthie, I will miss your phone calls !! Forever loved, forever remembered ! Sincerely Frances Allan and family