Ruthmary Harris

HARRIS, Ruthmary Carolyn (née Mackey, formerly Bradley)

October 27, 1938 - December 08, 2020

Ruthmary Carolyn Harris passed peacefully early Tuesday December 8, 2020.

Ruthmary spent the majority of her life in the Ottawa area, and was the eldest of 6 Mackey siblings (Virginia, Dixie, John, Tom, Lou). The Mackey family spent happy summers at Norway Bay, Bristol, Quebec where life-long friendships were formed. Ruthmary married Fisher Park High School sweetheart Larry Bradley (deceased 2013) who was the father of their 5 children (Deborah, Cristine, Michael, Julie, Karen). Ruthmary led a busy, high energy household including many kid activities, family and neighbourhood parties, frequent backyard chaos, and through it all a serene mother in quiet command.

Michael Harris, the love of her life and one of the old friends from Norway Bay became her second husband in 1984 and together they eventually left the city, re-established their roots and made Norway Bay home.  As a couple they were awesome grandparents, gracious hosts, a wonderful culinary team, extraordinary city gardeners, and established a fantastic group of friends who meant the world to them. Ruthmary loved her garden, her deck, sunsets, warm summer breezes, classical music, feeding the birds and any social gathering on the Ottawa River.

Ruthmary was a proud, strong-willed and intelligent woman. She was highly organized and efficient, leading to her successful working career in positions with the Ottawa Carleton School Board, and at the Ottawa Civic Hospital in roles including medical and foundation administration, project leader, and department manager, until her retirement in 1999.

Ruthmary was the dedicated grandmother (“Grandy”) to 11 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren who will miss her greatly. They each have individual memories of skills taught to them by Grandy, from telling the time, to knitting, cooking, table manners! and sewing for which she had exceptional talent.

She left a legacy of a magnificent picture history collection, by year, of the people and events of her life.  Travels to the Caribbean, Haiti, China, Hong Kong, England, and Mexico were enjoyed but really, there was no place like "The Bay”.  Mike’s death (Poppa) in 2012 left Ruthmary on her own for the last 8 years, and as a family we are forever grateful to the community of friends that she held so dear at Norway Bay.

Ruthmary was diagnosed with acute leukemia this autumn.  The medical diagnosis and treatment were difficult but she remained ever gracious and retained her radiant smile until the very end.

Our sincere thanks to the staff at the Ottawa General Hospital, to the wonderful care and attention at the Ruddy-Shenkman Hospice and finally, to Mike Couillard and fellow comrades – neighbours extraordinaire and true friends.

Ruthmary asked that there be no formal ceremony; she wished to be cremated and that her ashes be spread at Norway Bay.  The family requests you to consider planting daffodils in your gardens in her memory; she loved that the squirrels and the deer did not eat these beautiful flowers.  A life well lived - we will miss her.

Condolences and tributes may be made at www.tubmanfuneralhomes.com.