Mary Ruth Lovett

Lovett, Mary Ruth After a long, happy and fulfilling life, Mary Ruth (Ruthie) passed peacefully Saturday January 5, 2019, at the QEII Health Sciences Center, with family at her side, two days after her 96th birthday. Mary Ruth was born January 3, 1923 in Fairmont, Antigonish County. She was the eldest child born to the late John A. and Anne Ceceilia (MacDonald) MacDougall. Her family formed and remained an important part of her life. She lived her eldest sibling role with pride and affection. Ruthie leaves her sisters Frances MacDougall, Jean (late John) Quirk, Florence (Kenneth) Pellerin, Anne (Charlie) MacKenzie, all of Antigonish and her brothers Jackie (late Jane), Sudbury Ontario; Colin (Colleen), Lower Sackville; Carroll (Agatha), Antigonish, with many fond, happy and funny memories. She was predeceased by her sisters, Christene (late Lewis) Stringer, Della (late Armand) LeBlanc; her brothers William (late Helen) and Dougald (late Shirley). Ruthie’s extended surviving family, including a large number of nieces, nephews, grand nieces and grand nephews, will fondly remember and smile when thoughts come of her unique sense of style, signature hats, keen interest in their lives, delight in their visits, her cooking skills and “Ruth’s Happy Hours”. Her role as a good listener and practical approach to living will be sorely missed. Mary Ruth began her working career in Antigonish with Maritime Tel & Tel. She relocated to Halifax as a young woman where she worked for Canada Post, Eaton’s, and the Provincial Government, Department of Motor Vehicles, from where she retired. In Halifax, she met the love of her life, Fred Lovett. They were married in Saint Ninian Cathedral Antigonish, June 4, 1955 and spent many happy years together until Fred’s sudden death in September 1982. Those years included dance, music, travel, cruises, winter vacations in Florida as well as welcoming friends and family in their Halifax home, and attending many and varied family celebrations. In the years following Fred’s death, Ruthie remained in her own home, continuing to live independently in a neighborhood she dearly cherished and near Point Pleasant Park, a place that brought her happiness and peace. In October 2015, it was “her time” and she became a resident of the Berkeley, Green St, Halifax. Ruthie continued to enjoy life, making friends with the staff and residents, maintaining an interest in family and community happenings, as well as indulging in her lifelong interest of reading. She had a remarkable memory and could easily recall dates, events, people and thoroughly enjoyed visits, conversations and story telling with family, friends and those who dearly cared for her. Her family acknowledges with deep gratitude the care Ruthie received during her time at the Berkeley. We want to note Cheryl and Marion’s roles in her Berkeley journey and thank them for their friendship. The professional care, concern and compassion given to Ruthie by the doctors and staff of the Cardiac Care Unit, and the Palliative Care Team, made her last days with us much easier. We are grateful for their outstanding support. As per Ruth's request, there will be no visitation or service. A graveside burial service and family Celebration of Life will take place in the Spring/Summer. Mary Ruth will be buried with her beloved Fred, in Mount Olivet Cemetery, Halifax. Donations in memory of Mary Ruth Lovett may be made to the QEII Foundation. Please direct your gift to Cardiac/Palliative Care. Give at QE2Foundation.ca, by calling 1 888 428 0220, or by mailing a gift to the QEII Foundation, 5657 Spring Garden Road, Park Lane Mall, Box 231, Halifax, Nova Scotia B3J 3R4. In Ruth’s words “My time has come. I have had a great life. I am grateful for all that has been. I have savored much. I am at peace”