Rubymay Parrott (nee Brown), born April 17, 1921, in Victoria, B.C. passed away peacefully at her home in Victoria on April 21, 2014 after a long and courageous fight against cancer. Rubymay was passionate about living life to the fullest. Never shy to challenge norms, she acted as a champion for gender equality throughout her life. A proud Victorian and community activist, Rubymay took on leadership roles in the Saanich School Board, Pacific Coast Credit Union, Craigdarroch Castle and many others. She began her career as a teacher in a one room school in Koksilah, B.C. Her marriage to Harold further signalled her love for improving education. Rubymay first served at the local school board level, then provincially, and finally as the head of the Canadian School Trustees Association. She began her fascination for travel at an early age with her parents, then explored far corners of the earth with her beloved Harold in tow. Her adoration of friends, family and neighbours was always apparent, but particularly at Bradley Dyne where she loved to entertain, garden and engage with the community. Rubymay, predeceased by her loving husband, Harold and granddaughter, Paige, leaves her daughter, Sherry (Larry); sons, Brian (Kelly) and Brock (Margie) and grandchildren, Colin, Owen and Madeline. She will also be missed by Larry’s children, Sarah (René and young Tennyson) and Simon (Katharine). The family would particularly like to thank Dr. D. Carroll, Nurse Next Door for their compassionate care, as well as Beacon Support Services. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Red Cross, the Victoria Hospitals Foundation (Adult ICU) and/or the Scleroderma Society of BC would be welcomed.
A service to commemorate Rubymay’s life will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 3, 2014 at Goward House, 2495 Arbutus Road Victoria BC V8N 1V9. Condolences for the family may be offered below.
McCall Bros. Funeral Home
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Lorea and for Nancy Thomson
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Jane Blannin-Bruleigh To Rubymay’s Family,
So sorry to hear of your mom’s passing. Although it has been many years since we have been back to visit Victoria, your mom was wonderful at staying in touch with me, after my mom and then my dad died. Every year there would be a wonderful Christmas letter and there was always news of all of you. And your mom always wrote such wonderful e-mails. When I would travel out to visit Victoria, your mom was always one of the people that Ross and I enjoyed visiting. And I remember your dad and the annual Gyro Christmas parties that we all went to. Now that is really going a long way back. Your mom had an amazing attitude and she coped extremely well with a lot of challenges. She is one of the people I will always admire for her passion for life, her ability to grapple with issues and her ability to think through a lot of different issues. Our sincere sympathy to all of you, as it is always difficult to lose your mom, no matter how elde rly she is. Sincerely, Jane and Ross
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Nancy Stuart Sherry, Brock and Brian, Your Mum was a part of my life as Sherry and I have remained fast friends since high school. Please accept my condolences, she put up a good fight right to the end, just as she lived her life. I will have memories of her at Bradley Dyne, in her condo and tea with her in Gatineau Park in the Fall of 2009. May she rest in peace.
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Jane Forsythe (nee Parrott) Heaven just keeps getting better all the time. My heart is with all of you in missing your Mom and Grandma. Both your Mom and Dad have given us all so many wonderful memories that we will cherish always. So many stories and lots of laughter from the amazing life she has shared with us.
Love, Jane
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Jill (nee Parrott) and Buddy Stanton Dear Sherry, Brian, Brock and families,
Your Mom (and Dad) will be remembered forever by all of us…the fun times we all had at Bradley Dyne, whatever the occasion. Aunt Rubymay came over for dinner one night in Coquitlam and told us the story of Uncle Harold’s and her Tour Bus ride in Boston where the tour guide, who was “re-writing” American history, overheard your Dad say to your Mom that what the tour guide said wasn’t how it happened. They were then commanded to leave the bus. We laughed so hard. Your Mom was such a presence in a room…more power to you Aunt Rubymay. You will be missed. Lots of love, Jill and Buddy
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Suzanne Elliott (nee Parrott) Dear Sherry, Brian and Brock,
My thoughts and prayers are with you during this sad time. Our family had wonderful visits @ Bradley Dyne for some of the occasions hosted by Rubymay for the whole Parrott family. Much later Jane and I enjoyed a reunion for our Mom Adele and her sisters-in-law Rubymay and Muriel in Victoria and had a memorable time. Rubymay was always a resource for fascinating information and we still repeat her amusing stories. She’ll be watching over her beloved family.
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Don and Bea Parrott Dear Sherry, Brian, Brock and families,
Our hearts and prayers are with you on this sad occasion.Your Mum may be gone but she’ll never be forgotten. Many wonderful visits with all of you at Bradley Dyne in particular hold her at the heart of a very warm place in my memory.
May God give you comfort.
Don and Bea Parrott
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Brenda Quin Sherry, Brian, Brock and family
We are so sorry to hear of Rubymay’s passing. She will be remembered as the true character she was. We had such fun out at Bradley Dyne in the dug out canoes, and getting the treats under our pillows if we went to sleep and doing our chores and your Dad complaining because we were clearing the dishes before he had finished his meal. We had wonderful family gatherings. It was great that we all stayed in touch after all these years.
Mum is in hospital and not doing very well at the moment but she too sends her regards.
Pam and I will try to attend on Sat. Thinking of you because I know how hard it will be for you. I am not far behind you. Hang in there.
Hugs for you all. Brenda Quin and family
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Sharon Niles Dear Sherry,
My deepest condolences to you and your family during this difficult time. Your mother’s strength and spirit will continue to sustain you in the days and years ahead.
Thinking of you with love and support,
Sharon Niles
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Keith and Dr. Tina Parrott Our heart felt condolences go out to you and your family at this difficult time. Our Pastor will say a special Prayer of Remembrance for Rubymae this Sunday, and also for the family as we all deal with our loss.
Go raibh solas Dé ar a n-anam. ( May be the light of God be on her soul.: Irish 400 A.D.)
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Julie and Mario Mazziotti Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. Take time to cherish the many wonderful memories of your mom.
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Vicki Williams Brian, Sherry and Brock
I was so sad to hear about the passing of your wonderful mother. I remember well visiting your mom and dad at their Brentwood Bay home when I visiting in Victoria. I did see her a few times at the condo in and also when she was last in Toronto. She always had some great stories. I know she will be greatly missed by many people including me.
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Jean Christie Dear Sherry, Brian, Brock and Families
Please accept our condolences in the loss of your dear mother and our “Aunt Rubymay”. Both Keith and I have fond memories of summers spent at Bradley Dyne. She did love to entertain, and the house was seldom without visitors. Although her travels took her far and wide, her home and family were her most cherished. She will be missed by all who knew her.
Love Jean, Keith and Noel Parrott
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Leo and Judy Beinder Dear Sherry, Brian and Brock
Please accept our sincere condolences on Rubymay’s passing. It had been about four years since we went, at her invitation, and had afternoon tea and fresh baking with her and talked of many things going back to 1966 when I first went to work with Harold.
She was such a warm and considerate person and the parties she hosted were not to be forgotten.Leo and Judy
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Debbie and Rob Juhasz Brock and Margie – We are sorry to hear of the passing of your Mom. Stay strong during this difficult time. We are thinking of you both.
Debbie and Rob Juhasz
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Gabby Lipschitz Ruby May was a thoughtful and quick witted woman. I still have the figurine she gave me in Paige’s honor. She will always be remembered.
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Karen Gurney Dear Sherry,
Please accept my sincere condolences on the passing of your mother.
Karen Gurney
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Rob and Brenda Simmonds To the Parrott,
Our deepest condolences to you at this time. Having met Rubymay on a few occasions I realized she had an engaging and magical spirit. My mother, Pauline Simmonds and Rubymay had some great times together. Friday evenings were usually started with a class of wine. Our thoughts a prayers are with you.
Rob and Brenda
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Carolyn Sadowska It is sad news indeed to hear your dear mother has passed away.
I met her only a few times over the years but will always remain grateful to her as she was one of the first people to hire me when I started performing professionally many years ago. She was full of energy and creative ideas and held the well-being of the community close to her heart. She was impressive and inspiring.
My condolences and warmest regards,
Carolyn Sadowska
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Angela To Rubymay’s family,
Please acccept my sincere condolences on her passing. She was such a dear friend to my Grandmother Elsie and my father and aunts have wonderful memories of her. She will be greatly missed.
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Quentin Bregg Dear Brian, Kelly, Colin, Owen and Maddy
I have found memories of the ”Rubester” and I know how special she was to you and so many people.
Our thoughts and well wishes are with you all during this tough time.
Lots of love
QB and Kim
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Lorraine & Warren Cameron (New Zealand) To our Dear Friends, Brock and Margie, we send our Love and Hugs to you at this sad time. Rubymay was a wonderful host, welcoming us to her home several times when we have visited Canada. Her warm friendship and kind hospitality will never be forgotten. Our thoughts and prayers will be with you, Brian & Kelly, Sherry and Larry and families on the 3rd and we are sad we cannot be there to say goodbye to a great lady.
Love, Lorraine & Warren
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Judy and Doug Towill Sorry to hear the news of the passing of your Mom, Rubymay. May our prayers help comfort you during this difficult time. Our deepest condolences to you and your family.
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Clair Kuntz and Leigh Sheardown Sherry, please accept our heartfelt condolences on Rubymay’s passing. It was always a pleasure speaking with her at our visits to your home.
Clair and Leigh
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Wendy Squire Kullberg I have always enjoyed the great stories of Ruby may over the years from Brian and Kelly and Colin,,, I enjoyed meeting up with her on the times that i was visiting Victoria. She was such an amazing humorous and great character in life, I always felt her love of her family as she shared with me on the times we visited over the years,,,, I send lots of Love to Brian and family. Ruby May is with her angels now.. God Bless her always…
Wendy Squire and Max and Kelly Kullberg
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Shauna Cadotte Dear Sherry, Brian and Brock,
We have such fond memories of your mother. What a character; she certainly had personality galore! I always enjoyed her visits to Montreal. She and Harold introduced me to Fats Waller, taking me to a concert when I was in my early twenties.
Please accept our most sincere condolences.
Thinking of you at this time,
Shauna and Robert Cadotte and family
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Carol & Steve Sherry & Larry
We always enjoyed visits where your mother was in attendance. She was an interesting lady with an excellent sense of humour.
To Sherry Brock Brian and Their Families
Our condolances in the loss of your mother; My Mom who is in resthaven lodge was asking after Rubymay . I believe your service came and went at a busy time for me. We have wonderful memories of the team your parents were and altogether a great family. We remember your mums energy, Zest for life her committment to public service and cheerful sense of humour.
She is fondly remembered .
Sincerely Lorea and Nancy