Ruth MacNeil

1914 - 2025

Ruth MacNeil
Born: October 19, 1914
Died: December 7, 2025
Ruth (McKay) MacNeil, 111 years old, passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 7, 2025, at Wedgewood Pines Assisted Living in South Bend, Indiana, where she was both cared for and cherished in her last seven years. We are thankful for all the staff at Wedgewood Pines and would like to thank especially Rhoda Chimwamchere, caregiver, and Edith Grandison, owner. Rhoda was Ruth's main caregiver for almost 7 years. We greatly appreciated how they both treated Ruth as if she were a member of their own families.
Ruth was born in Belfast, Ireland, in 1914, and immigrated to Canada at the age of 9 to join her mother. She later completed her education as a teacher. She met her beloved husband after an introduction at his aunt's boarding house, where she lived. The two corresponded for 4 years.
In 1939, Ruth married the Reverend John MacNeil. They greatly enjoyed their honeymoon at the World's Fair in New York City. Their prized momentos were photos from the "Photomatic" photo booth and tales of eating lunch at a futuristic food vending service called the Automat. The couple established their family in Prince Edward Island, Canada. Later, they moved to Milton, Ontario, Canada where the Presbyterian Church called John to serve more congregations.
In 1949, the couple and their 3 daughters then moved to Manteno, Illinois when John became the minister of the First Presbyterian Church of Manteno. After their children were raised, Ruth returned to the field of education She worked for the Manteno School System for 20 years, first as a teaching assistance and then as a school librarian.
While enjoying her retirement years in Illinois, Ruth remained quite involved in a variety of activities and groups. She was active in her church community as well as the Women's Club, Tuesday Morning Book Club, the Adult Literacy Program and Great Books, She was one of the founding members of the Great Books Club of Kankakee County.
Ruth loved to travel and dearly loved group travel to Europe. In 1995, Ruth moved to South Bend, Indiana. She became active in a local Presbyterian church. She continued her passion as an avid Great Books Club member. Her artistic endeavors included porcelain doll artistry and knitting. Ruth loved orchids and began to grow them. She expanded her knowledge by joining the Michiana Orchid Society. Always the teacher, days before her 100th birthday, she visited the retired Sisters of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration to share her knowledge of orchid care and keeping.
To keep her mind sharp, Ruth religiously completed daily crossword puzzles and maintained her love for reading. Her well-known sweet tooth drove her to bake as many sweets as possible. She kept her spirit joyful by surrounding herself with family whom she dearly loved and cherished. Ruth lived an incredible, fulfilling life and will be deeply missed by all who knew her.
Ruth is survived by her daughters, Ann (David) Keigher and Florrie (Ronald) Nelson, as well as her grandchildren, Jennifer, Christina, Elizabeth (Jay), and Emily, and her great-grandchildren, Grace, Isla, William, Claudia, Harvey, and Robert.
She was preceded in death by her husband, John, her daughter Kathleen, her parents, Mary Emery and Daniel McKay, and her brother, Daniel McKay. Ruth's wishes for cremation has taken place.
A celebration of life will take place at a later date. Online condolences may be sent via the Palmer Funeral Homes website at www.palmerfuneralhomes.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Dolly Parton's Imagination Library https://donate.imaginationlibrary.com/.