Ruth McBride | Passages

June 22, 1946 – January 26, 2025

Ruth was born in St Louis, Missouri, on June 22, 1948 to Melanie Levy Malewitz, an artist, and Edward C. Malewitz, a physician. The family soon moved to Houston, Texas, and grew to include Ruth’s brother Ed and sister Anne.

As a child, her Galveston Island sand castles were masterpieces! Ruth sewed doll clothes with her sister Anne, learned to knit, and discovered tennis and sailing. She loved being captain! Ruth had a lifelong love of math, and her high school science fair exhibit explained set theory. In 1966 she was admitted to Brown University, to the delight of her parents.

At Brown, Ruth joined a new wave of young, computer-oriented mathematicians. In 1970 she graduated with a degree in Applied Mathematics, and married classmate Tom Corddry. They moved to Seattle, where Ruth began her life’s work in biostatistics with Richard Kronmal at the University of Washington. In 1976 Ruth and Tom welcomed bicentennial-baby Matthew. Though Ruth and Tom divorced in 1979, they remained co-parents and friends.

Ruth enjoyed a deeply engaging career with Axio Research, where her work improved understanding of cardiovascular health issues. She was a respected leader and her team reports that her influence still guides them.

In 1982, Ruth married James McBride, a Seattle potter and designer. James’s sons Nathan and Kendall joined Matthew in a new blended family. Ruth established a rotation between households which allowed all three boys to grow up together as siblings.

Ruth and James began building a home on Orcas Island in 1992, and this became the beloved scene of many family vacations, notably a honeymoon trip which included Ruth’s mother Melanie, all three boys, and a spare friend! Ruth’s garden kept them in canned goods all winter long, and produced an abundance of pears. Ruth formed close friendships on the island with Entrance Mountain neighbors, Orcas Island Library colleagues, and many more.

Caring for James before he passed in 2021 was a challenge which Ruth met with love, patience, and renewed engagement with her textile arts. Her sweaters are beloved elements of her grandkids’ daily wear.

Ruth is remembered with much love by her family members, friends and colleagues around the world, and her community on Orcas Island. She is survived by her siblings Anne and Ed, by her sons Matthew, Kendall, and Nathan, their spouses, and eight grand-children. She loved them all unconditionally.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in Ruth’s name to The Orcas Island Public Library.