At the session yesterday we received the very sad news that Ruth, the founder of M&C Art Group 32 years ago, had recently died. Her funeral was last week, but unfortunately no one from the art group attended as we hadn’t yet heard the news.
M&C still runs on her original ethos of an informal gathering of friends creating art together over a cuppa and a natter. Many members are still friends after three decades and Ruth remained a member until three years ago. She only gave up coming to sessions when she no longer drove.
Ruth was a lady with a kind soul, sparkling eyes, a wicked sense of humour and a good artist too. We remember you with love and many happy memories.
Chalk Art Group 
This is sad news indeed and such a shame that we didn’t know before the funeral.Ruth organised all the group holidays, finding amazing places for us to stay. I have fond memories of Norfolk, Isle of Wight, Snowdon, etc., and best of all a coach to France visiting the Normandy beaches and Monet’s Garden.Many happy memories DotSent from my Galaxy
What lovely memories of many places visited with Ruth, thank you for telling us about them.
I forgot another good holiday organised by Ruth – a group of us flying to Connamara, Ireland. Members of Longfield Art Group joined us on many of these breaks, i wonder if they have been told?DotSent from my Galaxy
I think I’ve seen some photos of this holiday taken by Eric S, what a beautiful place to visit!
Thank you all so much saying such lovely things about my mum. I do apologise but she was insistent on a small funeral with zero fuss. She became so ill in 2024 and her spark just faded away. She was a warrior though and still kept smiling to her last words to me, as she stroked my cheek and said ‘’I would always be her lovely smiley Trace’. I would say I obviously inherited her ability to smile. Every picture I have of her shes beaming from ear to ear. I have managed to raise nearly £600 for her diabetes research.she would be proud.
Many thanks again. Tracy
Ruths daughter x
Hi Tracy,
Tracy Q-P from the art group here. Thank you for explaining about your mum’s funeral. It doesn’t surprise me at all about her not wanting a fuss, she was such a down to earth lady! Ruth was very missed at the group when she no longer came to the sessions and it’s sad that we won’t see her again at an Open Day.
Her last words to you are so sweet and I’m pleased that you could be with her then. The photo on the post was one I took of her at Chalk Church and she always had that big smile on her face! Ruth was such a lovely lady and we will treasure the times we had with her.
Well done for such a good collection for Diabetes Research, that’s an amazing amount. Love and best wishes from all of us at M&C xx