Ruth R. (Gormley) Chin of Allen, Texas passed away on July 18, 2018 in Allen, Texas at the age of 81. She was born an only child as Robina Boyle Gormley (Namesake of her maternal Grandmother, Robina Boyle McGuire) on March 21, 1937 to Charles Joseph and Mary (McGuire) Gormley in Glasgow, Scotland. Ruth’s childhood home was The Morningside District of Edinburgh, Scotland. She attended St. Peter’s Primary School in Edinburgh, Holy Cross Academy also in Edinburgh and The Royal Academy of Music in London where she studied classical piano. Ruth was a member of the Dallas Chapter of the Daughters of the British Empire. She was a music teacher at Good Shepherd Catholic School in Garland, St. Phillip The Apostle Catholic School in Dallas and the Jewish Community Center in N. Virginia. Affectionately known as “Mumsie” within the family, we will always remember Ruth’s lovely countenance and her gift to make you feel special. She had a uniquely peaceful aura and was always a proper lady with perfect Continental table manners she learned from her Mother and in turn, passed them on to her children. Ruth had a very close relationship with her Dad. He encouraged her often to keep up with her music, tennis and netball; he pushed her to practice and develop skills and be competitive. He demanded excellence; she always had a strong desire to ‘win’ as a result. As a child, she enjoyed Highland Dancing and Scottish Country Dancing. Her Dad loved music of all types along with singing, dancing and following the entertainment news (as did she). There has always been beautiful music in her home from classical pieces by her favorite composers to all of the trendy Broadway show tunes and Scottish Folk tunes. An impromptu sing along could happen at almost any time, even until recently. Periodic trips to Scotland to visit family and friends helped to alleviate her longing for home. Her dear friend, Christine Reid and family have welcomed us to ‘Auld Reekie’ for generations; we will continue that tradition for generations to come. A faithful woman her entire life, Church was always at the center of family activities, work, school, weekly Mass and friends. We often had the parish Priests and Sisters over for meals and a visit as was her family custom at home in Scotland. Life-long friendships were formed from this hospitality, particularly with Sister Marie Leonard as they were two young Celtic women a long way from home (Dublin and Edinburgh) teaching together at Good Shepherd and related well to one another.
Later in life she met and married William Chin on September 6, 1991 in Springfield, Virginia. They lived in the Washington D.C. area for many years and enjoyed several trips to New York for Broadway shows and exploring the ‘Big Apple’. Soon she was an avid NY Yankee fan, she and Bill cheered on the Yankees and they enjoyed their success season after season. West Point reminded her of the Scottish Highlands and the socials were great fun where she enjoyed the dancing, music and fellowship. Of course, from the time she first arrived in Dallas she became a staunch Dallas Cowboys fan, her best memory was Staubach to Pearson ‘Hail Mary’ pass. Ruth enjoyed the New Jersey banter with John, her brother-in-law and his sisters, Mimi and Lye along with the time spent and exquisite meals with the Chin family. A loving woman of humility and deep faith with a servant’s personality, Ruth brought happiness, warmth and peace to all of her family, countless friends and students.
God Bless Us and Save Us
Ruth is survived by her loving husband of 27 years, William F. Chin of Allen, Texas; son, Patrick Gillock and wife, Brigid; daughters, Mary Williams and husband, Ben, Lisa Matthews and Roberto, Carol O’Neil and husband, Tom and Kathleen Roe and Tim; seven grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; mother-in-law, Yuen Kiu Chin; the Chin Family, Lye Baynham and husband, David, Mimi Band and husband, Steve, Susan Baynham-Duke, Monica Band and Sam Band; and numerous other loving family and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Mary Gormley; her first husband and father of her children, Philip E. Gillock; her father-in-law, Bok Chong Chin; and brother-in-law, John Chin.
A funeral mass will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, July, 28, 2018 at St. Jude Catholic Church, 1515 N. Greenville Avenue, Allen, Texas 75002. A rosary will begin at 9:45 a.m. prior to the service. Interment will follow at Ridgeview Memorial Park, 2525 Central Expressway North, Allen, Texas 75013. Pallbearers will be her grandsons, LTC Joseph Matthews, Phillip Matthews, Timothy Roe, Gavin Gillock and Andrew Gillock and nephew, Sam Band. Honorary Pallbearers will be her sons-in-law, Thomas O’Neil and Ben Williams.
The Ladies of St Jude Parish will host a luncheon after the service at the Church.
Memorial Contributions may be made to St. Athanasius RC Church, P.O. Box 1627, Vienna, Virginia 22183 or a charity of your choice.