Ruth Isabel MacLeod

Ruth Isabel MacLeod was born on July 4, 1922 to Robert Burns MacLeod and Susan Mabel Ruckenbrod in Englewood, NJ.  She said that, when she was a child, her parents told her that the firework celebrations on July 4th were just for her. She jokingly would say that she continued to believe that as an adult- it was fun she said to watch people’s reactions when she said it so seriously.  Ruth was very connected to her Scottish roots and the MacLeod clan.  She went to annual get togethers in Scottland with dozens of family members.  It was an important part of her life and gave her a strong sense of family.

Ruth studied design and worked as an editor for Bride magazine and then became the design editor for House and Garden magazine.  She had a glamorous career, traveled widely and hobnobbed with all the big names in fashion and design such as Bill Blass.  She was beautiful and elegant, always dressed with flair and had a keen eye for color.  Ruth went to Samuels recently after it had been renovated and noticed and remarked on all the small decorative details and splashes of color.  She would always notice what her companions were wearing and compliment them on their choices.  She was a delight to be with.

Ruth lived in NYC during her work years and bought a weekend house on Center Street in Rhinebeck and she retired there.  She loved her house and relished the idea that she could walk from her backyard to the Farmers Market on Sunday morning. Gardening became a passion and she was an active member of the Rhinebeck Gardening Club.  Her interest in things local included membership in the Rhinebeck Historical Society and Hudson River Heritage.  In her later years, she enjoyed drives just to watch the Hudson River and would marvel to her companions that the River was so majestic and would say that there was no better place to be than watching the River and the view.

Ruth’s sister predeceased her as did her nephew, Kim.  She is survived by her niece Hope and nephew, Robin. She will be missed by her Rhinebeck friends and the staff at the Baptist Home where she spent the last years of her life.

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