Ruth Tye McKenzie

October 6th, 1929 ~ January 31st 2023

It is with much sadness that the family of Ruth Tye McKenzie announces her peaceful passing January 31, 2023, in her 94th year surrounded by her loving family.

Ruth was instrumental in bringing the arts to the Thunder Bay community. She loved music, theatre, literature and fine art and encouraged and mentored many young and older artists in their creative endeavours. Her support via donations and volunteer time to art galleries and theatres as well as arts students is remembered fondly by many. She opened The Painted Turtle Art Shop in 1983, retiring and selling to the present owners in 2003. Ruth was known for her quirky sense of humour both in person and in her artwork. She is referred to as a founding mother of the arts in Thunder Bay, an Icon, a legend, an incredible advocate for arts, an amazing artist, a pillar in the community, a bright light, who leaves a vibrant and colourful legacy. Ruth was a spirit you could not help but love. Ever adventurous, she was Hang Gliding in her 60's, skiing unto her late 80's, attending exercise classes and walking to close destinations into her 90's. She enjoyed having fun. Even in her last weeks she could be found doing donuts in the hall in her wheelchair.

She loved her children and family very much and regularly shed many tears after visits from them. She often spoke of how her eldest was so smart and exceptionally good with finances, her son so very intelligent, and her youngest so beautiful inside and out. Her big Brother was her biggest supporter taking care of his little sister even after his passing via his lovely daughter Janice whom Ruth spoke of fondly. She enjoyed many trips with her big brother appreciating being able to see much of the world.

Ruth was the youngest of 4 children born to Howard Warner Tye & Ellen White Tye nee Watson (known as Ella) in Edmonton Alberta. As a young girl she attended the prestigious Banff School of Arts where she was instructed by A.Y. Jackson and Murray MacDonald. She graduated with a Silver Medal in advertising art from the Ontario College of Art in 1952 where she met then married the father of her 3 children. The couple moved to Thunder Bay in 1952. Ruth became friends with Order of Canada recipient, artist Susan Ross and author of The Incredible Journey Sheila Burnford. The three of them began the Port Arthurs Puppeteers, writing the scripts, creating the puppets & sets as well as performing shows. The couple moved to Dundas Ontario a few years later. At the Dundas School of Art Ruth perfected her skills in printmaking and painting. Returning to Thunder Bay in 1976, Ruth was instrumental in the development of and appreciation for the arts Thunder Bay. She was a founding member of Artist North of Superior in 1983. She fell in love with figure drawing while taking classes at Lakehead University and became known for her figure in the landscape paintings. Ruth was as a long-standing member of the Lakehead Visual Arts, The Thunder Bay Art Gallery as well as Definitely Superior Artist Run Centre. She regularly attended Magnus Theatre productions and was a long time volunteer with them. The Thunder Bay Art Gallery exhibited a retrospective of her work in 2003. In 2019 Lakehead University established the Ruth Tye McKenzie Collection preserving her history with her donation of over 470 works of art, 48 sketchbooks and archival records.

Ruth enjoyed good food, a nice glass of wine and most importantly ICE CREAM. Of Thunder Bay Ruth was quoted as saying “It's a nice place to live but most of all, I enjoy the people.” She certainly did miss “her Thunder Bay” after the necessary move to Windsor in the care of her loving daughter and Cardinal Place.

Ruth was predeceased by her parents, her sister Madeleine Pierson (Dennis), her brother Robert & her brother William Tye (June). She is survived by her loving children, Heather McKenzie (Jim), Robert McKenzie (Dianne), Ellen McKenzie (Terry), niece Janice Tye (Murray), Her “adopted” daughter Lorraine Cull as well as many grand and great grandchildren, nieces and nephews, extended family and many friends. In lieu of flowers donations in her honour can be made to Hospice Windsor or Northwest or a place of your choice. Ruth will rest in the family plot in Lacombe, Alberta, Canada. Friends are invited to share their memories of Ruth McKenzie at an informal, drop in event on Sunday, February 26 between 1:00 and 3:00 pm at the Thunder Bay Art Gallery, 1080 Keewatin St. Thunder Bay.