Suddenly, on Wednesday, March 20, 2024, at Steinbach Bethesda Hospital, Mrs. Ruby I. McDonald, age 91 years, beloved wife of the late Archie V. McDonald of Giroux, Manitoba passed away.
Ruby will be dearly missed by her four children: her three sons: Rory (Gayle) McDonald; Patrick (Irene) McDonald; Kelly (Debbie) McDonald and daughter: Dale Christiuk (née McDonald). She will be missed by her nine grandchildren and nine great grandchildren: Rory’s family: Sean McDonald ( Kelly Friesen) and two sons: Nathan and Asher; Kerri McDonald (Tyler Bartsch); Colin McDonald( Brittney Fader); Patrick’s family: Joe (Helen) McDonald, daughter, Gabrielle; Kelly’s family: Caitlin Tipton (née McDonald) (Cole), daughters, Hadley and Ella; Dr. Megan McDonald, fiancé Dr. Jared Galloway; Dale’s family: Dr. Rorke Christiuk (Kaitlin), sons Rhett and Emmett; Drs. Kane (Maria)Christiuk, daughters: Abigail and Isabelle and Cass Christiuk, fiancée, Alyssa Boniello. Ruby is survived by her beloved sisters and brother: Mrs. Marylou (George) Adams; Mrs. Diana (Charlie) Cyr; Mr. Stan (Carmella) Burns and brothers-in-law: Aimé (Margaret) Boivin; Ed (Jean) Boivin; Gerry (Barbara) McDonald and sister-in law, Mrs. Lucille (David) Burns.
Ruby was predeceased by her three brothers: George (Frances) Burns, Leslie Burns, and David (Lucille) Burns; her five sisters: Mrs. Ruth (Allan) Burr; Mrs. Grace (Ralph) Wastle; Mrs. Margaret (Aimé) Boivin; Mrs. Barbara (Lou) Vandal; Mrs. Jean (Ed) Boivin; brother-in law: Clayton (Marilyn) McDonald; Mrs. Elva (Dan) Cohoe (née McDonald); Mrs. Marjory (Ernie) Feher (née McDonald) and Archie’s sisters : Margaret and Helen McDonald.
Ruby Idella Burns was born May 26, 1932, in Giroux, Manitoba, one of twelve children born to Alexander McFarlane Burns and Mary Burns (née Lund). Ruby, named after the teacher, Ruby Wood, attended Giroux School. Although acquainted, it wasn’t until the winter of 1951 when mom worked at a logging camp for her dad in Wade, Ontario that they fell in love. She married her Giroux sweetheart, Archie, son of the late J.J. McDonald and Frances McDonald (née Rathert) on June 6, 1952, in St. Edward’s Catholic Church in Winnipeg. They were married 41 years until Dad’s passing July 5, 1993. Clear Flow Holsteins was started in June 1953, and continued until April of 1990. Ruby shared the milking duties while being a homemaker raising four children. Mom loved to read, travel, garden and be with her grandchildren. Mom moved to Bridge Park Manor in Steinbach in 2019 and then to Ste. Anne Villa Youville in 2022. She was able to Facetime with Rory; chat with Kelly during his commute home and see Dale at supper time. She was always the best dressed and the prettiest woman in the room.
Viewing and Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, April 19 at 1:30 p.m. with mass starting at 2:00 p.m. in the Ste. Anne Roman Catholic Church 162 Centrale Avenue, Ste. Anne, Manitoba with the Rev. Fr. Kevin Nkengfua Lereh m.ss.cc. presiding. Interment and reception to follow immediately after mass at Green Acres Funeral Home and Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Cancer Research in Ruby’s memory.
