September 2, 1921 - September 3, 2020
Ruth McIntyre, age 99, of Whitehorse, Yukon passed away on Thursday September 3, 2020.
Ruth Batty was born on September 2, 1921 near the family farm in Assiniboia, Saskatchewan a daughter of the late William and Erie Batty.
Ruth was preceded in death by her husband Gordon; daughter Mary Sofko; daughter-in-law Rhonda Holway-McIntyre; three brothers Samuel, Stanley, and John "Jack" Batty; and three sisters, Mary June Batty, Helen Kelly and Bertha Carr.
Ruth is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law, Angus McIntyre (Christine) of Nanaimo, Norman McIntyre (Catherine) of Whitehorse; son in law, Leslie Sofko of Whitehorse; one brother and sister-in-law Bill Batty (Ruth); two sisters, Donna Richards and Margaret Volker; sister-in-law, Regina; and her good friend and caregiver Share Magill. She also leaves many grandchildren, family members and friends who will miss her.
Ruth was raised on the family homestead in Assiniboia, Saskatchewan. During this time her life was filled with sports, dancing and chores. The family lived through the dirty thirties, with its dust storms, grasshoppers and hailstorms.
Ruth trained as a teacher in Moosejaw in 1941, attended UBC, and in 1946 travelled by ship, rail, and DC3 to Mayo, Yukon. She lived in Mayo for the next nineteen years working as a teacher as well as opening a restaurant "Ruth's Luncheon Bar", a store "Ruth's Dress and Novelty Shop", dabbling in real estate and cooking at a mining camp for a season.
Ruth would say "I never questioned whether I could do something that I wanted to do or not; I just did it!" She met some of her dearest friends during this time in Mayo.
Ruth married Gordon McIntyre in 1955 and raised three children, Angus, Mary and Norman. The family moved from Mayo to Whitehorse in 1965 where Ruth became involved in education once more.
She worked at the Yukon Technical and Trade School, was Vice- Principal at F.H. Collins High School, teacher at G.A Jeckell School, was involved in the Yukon Teacher Education Program and retired from the position of Coordinator of Academic Studies in 1986 before the new Yukon College Campus opened.
During her time at F.H. Collins her door was always open for students who needed to talk. She earned the nickname "Mother Mac". Ruth was always searching for innovative ways to make school less of an institution and more of a home for learning.
During her retirement years Ruth spent most of her time with her grandchildren, great grandchildren and her many friends and relatives. Ruth's greatest joys in life were caring for her children and grandchildren and spending time with her many friends and family.
As per Ruth's wishes no memorial service will be held.
In lieu of flowers please contribute to:
Yukon University Foundation, PO Box 2799, Whitehorse, YT, Y1A 5K4.