Ruth Marie McKay

Ruth Marie McKay of Montgomery, Massachusetts passed away on Monday, August 30, 2021. Ruth was the third baby of the year born in Springfield, Massachusetts on New Year’s Day 1928.   The daughter of Andrew and Rachel McGarrett, she lived in West Springfield until 1972 and was happy to be a part of the Class of ’45 at West Springfield High.  She was beloved as the Class Treasurer as she never asked her classmates for their dues.  She was proud to be a member of the Building Committee for the new High School in 1963. Ruth worked at Wico Electric until her first child was born in 1953. After her third child was born she entered college and earned her teaching degree.  She graduated from Westfield State College in 1972 and taught first and second grade in the Gateway School System for 16 years at Murrayfield Elementary. She loved the home that she built in Montgomery with her whole heart.  She served on the Building Committee for the extension of the Montgomery Town Hall and Library.  She enjoyed many years as a volunteer librarian.  Ruth was married to Wallace Bagg from 1948 to 1983.  She married James G McKay in 1984 and spent the happiest years of her life with him until his death in 2010.  They enjoyed alpine skiing, golfing, travelling and spending time with their large circle of friends both in Massachusetts and in their snowbird getaway in Jupiter Florida. Ruth was predeceased by her daughter Martha J. Bagg (1975) and son Edward O. Bagg (1992),  in addition to her sisters Ellen and  Patricia and her brother Bill.    She is survived by her daughter Elizabeth A. Coale (Richard), Granddaughters Karen Smith (Brian Malmrose), Megan Oliveira (Stanley), Grandsons Andrew and Matthew Coale,  five great grandchildren -  McKayla, Karlie and Taylor Malmrose and Nathan and Margot Oliveira,  her daughter-in-law Deb Martineau (Roger); her sister Rachel Gaffney and many nieces and nephews.  Ruth was devoted to her grandkids and loved all babies and children.  She was a gifted “baby whisperer”. Graveside services will be held at the Montgomery Center Cemetery on Tuesday Sept 7 at 11 am.   The West Springfield Curran-Jones Funeral Home is handling all arrangements.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Grace Hall Memorial Library 160 Main Road Montgomery, MA  01085.