Our museum is mourning the loss this week of a stalwart supporter, Ruby McLain Sleath.
Ruby supported her brother, Clayton McLain and subsequently her sister-in-law, Elizabeth McLain, who worked with the many volunteers to establish the museum. This was a labour of love as it was Clayton’s Dream.
It began with Clayton’s Collection of artifacts and stories and many McLain family items, which are still to this day on display at the museum. The stories are treasured, and our staff of volunteers love to share them with our visitors.
Ruby’s signature was often the first name and then the last name on the museum’s register each year. She would be pushed over to the museum in her wheelchair to see what was new, to bring visitors to see her family’s legacy to the community or to drop off a monetary donation.
This happened even after she was over 100 years young.
Ruby was a history resource that we used frequently to identify someone in a picture or to check on details of the past history in the area. Ruby was also an ambassador for the museum and community. She loved welcoming new people and sharing her stories and listening to theirs.
How lucky we were to have her clear mind and memory for so many years.
Rest In Peace, dear Ruby.
There will be a service for family only due to current social distancing laws so we will be streaming the service at the following link. Service is Oct 2 at 1pm.
Link to Service for Ruby Sleath
~ Lucille B.
Clayton McLain Memorial Museum 