MacBain, Major Ruby Viola – (Major of the Salvation Army) ~ Born in Halifax, Nova Scotia on July 7, 1928 and passed away peacefully at her home on Tuesday, November 27th at the age of 90.
At the age of 14, Ruby began to attend the Salvation Army. She started her training to become a Salvation Army Officer at the age of 19. She became a cadet in the Kings Messenger Session and her first appointment was in Bridgewater-Nova Scotia (where a tent was the meeting place). In 1956, she married her beloved husband Lt. Alex MacBain who was stationed in Gravenhurst. Together they held further appointments, as the pastors of Salvation Army churches in Bermuda, Saint John New Brunswick, Sydney Nova Scotia, Grand Falls Newfoundland, Earlscourt in Toronto, and then Kingston.
Following her work in Kingston, Ruby did Public Relations work with the Salvation Army in Vancouver and in 1989 she was transferred to Territorial Headquarters in Toronto, where she worked in the Personnel Department. Following that appointment Ruby was transferred with her husband to Cape Town South Africa as Divisional Director of Women’s Organizations in Eastern Cape Division. The MacBain’s retuned to Canada, and were appointed to THQ before their appointment to the Ontario East Division. On retirement in 1996 Major Ruby continued her activities for the Lord by working for 5 years as the Chaplin at the Ross Memorial Hospital in Lindsay and for 6 years at Extendicare Kawartha Lakes in Lindsay. As part of her interest at the Lindsay Salvation Army Church she introduced the Shepherding Program for the church members.
Ruby is survived by her loving husband Major Alex MacBain and by her children, daughter Carroll Croutch (Philip) and son David (Carol) to whom she was a loving mother and best friend; also her 8 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren to whom she was a doting Grandmother.
Ruby will be remembered for her loving, caring, friendly personality; her care for others and the fact that people were drawn to her. She will be missed by many nieces, nephews, extended family, plus church family and friends.
Visitation will take place at the Mackey Funeral Home, 33 Peel Street, Lindsay, on Sunday, December 2nd from 4:00p.m. until 8:00p.m. and on Monday, December 3rd at the Salvation Army Citadel, 51 Eglington Street from 11:30a.m. until 12:45 p.m. Funeral Service will take place at the Salvation Army Citadel on Monday at 1:00p.m. If desired, a memorial donation to the Ross Memorial Hospital Foundation or the Salvation Army Citadel would be appreciated by the family. Online donations and condolences can be made through www.mackeys.ca