Obituary: Ruth I. MacDonald

Ruth I. (Carpenter) MacDonald, 92, of Mansfield and East Hampstead, N.H., formerly of Hyde Park, died on Nov. 30 at Sturdy Memorial Hospital in Attleboro. She was the beloved wife of the late Robert B. MacDonald Sr. to whom she was wed for 54 years when he died in 1997.

Born in Boston, Dec. 12, 1920, she was a daughter of the late William G. Sr. and Catherine L. (Pauley) Carpenter. Ruth grew up in Dorchester and was educated in Boston public schools. She furthered her education and was a graduate of the Boston Business School. Prior to retiring, Mrs. MacDonald had been employed as an administrative assistant at the Honeywell-Bull Corporation in Newton and had previously worked as an administrative assistant at Curry College in Milton for 15 years.

A resident of the Village at Willow Crossings in Mansfield for the past fourteen years, she had formerly resided in Hyde Park for forty years. Since living in Mansfield she was a member of the Congregational Church of Mansfield and was a former member of the Trinity Episcopal Church in Canton and the First Congregational Church in Hyde Park.

Ruth's family was the focal point of her life. She loved summering on Angle Pond in East Hampstead, N.H., for over fifty years, where enjoyed water skiing well into her 70s. Her other interests included word games, crossword puzzles, jigsaw puzzles and especially watching her favorite game show Jeopardy.

She leaves children, Joyce L. (MacDonald) McGibbon and her husband David Myers of South Hadley, Carol L. of Mansfield, Robert Jr. and his wife Ann of Canton, and Lois K. of Mansfield. She was the grandmother of Jonathan R. McGibbon and Caitlyn A. McGibbon both of South Hadley, Matthew R. and his wife Megan (Ryan) of Philadelphia, Penn. Mark, Eric and Craig all of Canton and Heather of Mansfield, and is also survived by 1 great-granddaughter, Elizabeth. She was the sister of the late William G. Carpenter Jr. and Althea Kendzia.

Her funeral service was held Wednesday, Dec. 4, at 10 a.m. in the Congregational Church of Mansfield, 17 West St., Mansfield. Burial in the Canton Cemetery in Canton. Visiting hours were held Tuesday, Dec. 3, from 5-8 p.m. at the Sherman & Jackson Funeral Home, 55 North Main St., Mansfield. Donations in her memory may be made to the Memorial Fund of the Congregational Church of Mansfield, 17 West St., Mansfield, MA 02048. To send Ruths family a message of condolence, please visit www.shermanjackson.com.