Ruth Maxine McCormick

Ruth McCormick Obituary

McCormick, Ruth Maxine, retired Equity actress and dramatics and speech teacher, died January 17. Service is 10 AM, Friday, February 3, at Cochran Mortuary, 1411 N. Broadway. She was daughter of Augustus Guy and Grace Calnon McCormick. Siblings Louise, A. G. Jr. "Bud", and Montieth McCormick preceded her in death. Ruth graduated from Wichita East High School, and earned her Bachelors from the University of Oklahoma and Masters from the University of Denver. After several years of touring her one-woman show and other engagements, she had a distinguished teaching career at Winfield High School and Wichita High Schools North and Southeast. Summers were busy with "summer stock" theatre. She also performed in New York, Wichita Community Theatre and Music Theatre productions. After retiring in 1975, she continued to perform. Her last stage appearance was in "Driving Miss Daisy" at the Wichita Center for the Arts in 1991. She traveled to New York and London theatre several times. Establishment of the Ruth McCormick Theatre at Southeast in 1992 was a great honor. Throughout her career, many people have enjoyed her other programs and character sketches. Ruth volunteered for the McCormick School Museum, and was active in her church and Shakespeare Club until recently. Survivors are: nieces Sondra Barby of Woodward, OK; Melinda McKinney (Bob) of Tucson, AZ; and Mary Mac Gardner of Albuquerque, NM; nephew Guy McCormick of Wichita; other family members in Oklahoma, Arizona, New Mexico, and N. Carolina; and many special friends. Memorials are with: Second Church of Christ, Scientist, at 4501 E. Douglas 67218; and the Southeast High School Drama Department, 901 S. Edgemoor 67218. An online guestbook is available at www.cochranmortuary.com. Cochran Mortuary has charge of the arrangements.

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Published by Wichita Eagle on Feb. 1, 2006.

Memories and Condolences
for Ruth McCormick

8 Entries

steffan klein

February 7, 2006

Miss McCormick was my drama instructor at Wichita Southeast in '72-'73, '73-'74 ... she was acting in NY for a portion of that time.

Ruth, we only called her that when she was out of earshot, was an intense, no-nonsense instructor and director. She was honest accurate and fair in her criticism of our performances. She had a way of taming even the most rebellious of us students. Southeast High was incredibly fortunate to have enjoyed an instructor of her caliber ... an instructor of drama that could share wonderfully rich real life experience as a professional actress. She sometimes recounted stories of George C. Scott and others. She might have been a bit conservative, but she engendered unanimous respect from all in the classes I attended.

Ruth was a real character in real life. If anyone has any film or video of Miss McCormick on stage, could you please contact me?

Temple Elliott

February 5, 2006

I am lucky to have been both a student of Ruth and later in life, a friend. I was moved at her wonderful memorial service to hear so many others voice my own sentiments about her. Although she was a talented actress, it was her gift for teaching, and indeed her gift for connecting to people - young and old - with a true passion for life, that I shall always treasure. Ruth allowed so many people of all backgrounds and aspirations to be part of her inner circle. Everyone felt personally connected. I shall miss her, but will always hold her as one of my most important role models for living.

Thanks to Guy and the family for the terrific service last Friday.

Kathey Nickel

February 3, 2006

Though I've only known Ruth for a short time, her memory will live with me forever. I met her this past June when my mother moved to the care home she was living at. Mom was assigned to sit at Ruth's dining table, and that is where I first met her. During my visits with Mom, I became so attached to the dear resident's that I applied for a position in the Activity Department at the home, and was hired there in August. Ruth was one of the resident's on my one-on-one list. We often had little chats in her room, which I hope she enjoyed as much as I did. She spoke often and lovingly of her years of teaching and the students she had worked with. It wasn't hard to tell how many lives Ruth touched, as you could see by the mail she received that she was adored by many! I think I got as much of a kick out of handing Ruth her mail as she did receiving it, as the smile it brought to her face was so precious. I feel very blessed to have known her, and am thankful to have had the opportunity to learn more from her about one of lives greatest lessons...how to grow old gracefully. Ruth did just that and was such a blessing and inspiration to me. My sincere sympathy goes out to Ruth's family and many longtime friends. Thank you for sharing her with me.

Sincerely,

James C. Nelson

February 2, 2006

I was a student at Winfield High School and had the honor of having Miss Mac as we called her as a teacher and director for two years. I kept up the association with this great and talented woman over the many years since. I designed sets for her at North High and house sat for her while she went to summer stock.

Betsy Gwin

February 2, 2006

Mother Mac. That's what we called her in Drama class, Southeast High School (early 60's). What a teacher! What a coach! What a woman!

She not only introduced me to some of the greatest works of literature ever written but taught me to appreciate them. I am forever indebted.

She taught me to be comfortable and outgoing in a stage performance even if my family and best friends were in the auditorium - attention riveted on me. That helped me immeasurably in my political life.

She allowed me to excel by participating in State Competition. Remember our Gold medal winning, one-act play, George and Mary Mac? Wasn't that the best!

I have always counted her as one of my most influential teachers. I suspect I'm not alone in that belief.

Thanks, Mother Mac, for the memories.

Betsy Langston Gwin

Kevin Reiboldt

February 1, 2006

Southeast 1971

Fred Campos

February 1, 2006

I was a student of Mrs. McCormick at Southeast High School in the late 70's. I will always remember her as one of the best teachers I had. She was an inspiration to everyone and a very good person! There will never be another one like her and she will be missed!

Judy Wilkinson (Talbott)

February 1, 2006

I was a drama student of her's back in 1954 at North High. She was beautiful both inside and out and an inspiration to all her students. I wish I would have gotten to see her again later in life. She was a great actress - one in a million!! Loved by all!!!

Judy (Barbara) Wilkinson (Talbott)

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