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
27 Responses
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
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
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.
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
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
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.
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