Ruth Warrell MacKay

Born on March 28, 1928 in St. Johnsbury, Vermont, Ruth was the daughter of William Charles and Mary (Laura) Warden Warrell. She is preceded in death by her husband of 66 years, Allister M. MacKay, and her sister Marion Daines.

The eldest of three sisters, Ruth grew up on the Columbia Stock Farm in East Barnet, Vermont. She graduated from St. Johnsbury Academy and the University of Vermont with a BS in education, then pursued post-graduate work as a Danforth Graduate Fellow at Florida State University. While at UVM, Ruth met Al MacKay. They married after graduation and moved to Frederick, Maryland, where they had four children.

In 1960, they moved to Virginia Beach, Virginia where Al managed Bayville Farms. There Ruth pursued her love of music, studying and playing the church organ, preferably a full-throated pipe organ. She was an organist and a choir director for a number of churches throughout the area, as well as a longtime organist for Hollomon-Brown Funeral Homes.

Ruth was an active member of Baylake United Methodist Church, the American Association of University Women and the American Guild of Organists. Ruth is remembered with smiles by family and friends for her love of music, education, Vermont, maple walnut ice cream and blueberries.

She is survived by her children, Elizabeth MacKay of Toronto, Ontario, Bill (Staci) MacKay of Fort Myers, Florida, Ian (Judy) MacKay of Falls Church, Virginia and Kathleen (Cullen) Walker of Hartfield, Virginia and her loving grandchildren and great-grandchildren, as well as her nieces and nephews. Ruth is also survived by her sister Alma W. Briggs of Riverside, California.

The family is very appreciative of the Sunrise community for their warm and dedicated care.

A private memorial and interment for both Ruth and Al in her beloved Vermont will be held at a future date.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations in her name be made to organizations close to her heart - the American Red Cross (an actual blood donation would be appreciated) or the University of Vermont - or to a charity of one’s choice.