Ruth L. McVay

Ruth L. (Graves) McVay, age 89, passed away peacefully Wednesday, May 4, 2022 comforted by her family. She was the wife of the late Kenneth A. “Ken” McVay to whom she was married for 64 years prior to his passing in 2016.

Born in Providence to the late Donald and Ruth E. (Davis) Graves, she was a longtime resident of Bristol coming from San Diego, CA. Prior to settling in Bristol, Ruth and Ken moved all over the country due to Ken’s Marine Corps service.

After raising her three children she went back to school and earned a Bachelor’s and Master’s in Psychology from Rhode Island College. A secretary to the President at Rhode Island College, she also taught Psychology.

During the summer, Ruth and Ken operated a live-aboard sailing school on their boat Pizzazz. An enthusiastic traveler she enjoyed the many cruises she and Ken took all over the world where she always won “Name That Tune.”

A soprano with the group The Strays, the BUMC church choir, and many talent shows, she loved to perform any way she could. A dance teacher for many years, she was also a Kumu Hula – a master Hula teacher, which was her very last dance. A consummate knitter, she knit an army of beautiful knitwear for those she loved.

She had an infectious smile, which would light up everyone’s day. She was an incredible mom, grandmother, and matriarch of the whole Graves clan.

She is survived by one daughter, Marilyn Ruth Mathison and her husband Scott of Warren; two sons, Ret. Navy Captain Michael K. McVay and his wife Debbie of Carlsbad, CA and Mark H. McVay of Pawtucket; one sister June Braids and her husband Ken; five grandchildren, Allison Aguilar and her husband Marc, Lindsey McVay, Lydea Ruth Irwin, Marcel McVay and Maxwell McVay and his fiancée Megan Bailey; five great-grandchildren, Elijah, Abigail, Andrew, Daniel and Natalie Aguilar and many nieces and nephews. She was the sister of the late Marjorie O’Rourke and Nancy Graves.

Her Funeral Service will be Friday, May 13, 2022 at 10:00 AM in the Barrington United Methodist Church, 230 Washington Rd., Barrington. Relatives and friends are invited. Visiting hours are Thursday from 4:00 – 7:00 PM in the Wilbur-Romano Funeral Home, 615 Main St., Warren. Burial will be private. Contributions in her honor may be made to the UMCOR - Ukraine. For directions and online condolences, www.wilbur-romano.com