Ruth R. Chin March 21, 1937 - July 18, 2018

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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.

Memorials

I will always remember Mrs. Gillock as my first piano teacher. She cultivated my love of music so much that my bachelors degree is Music Therapy. Eternal rest grant to her oh Lord and may the perpetual light of Heaven shine on her. CHARLOTTE MARY FRAZIER MYERS, JULY 26, 2018 Bill, Judy & I are so sorry for your loss. Ruth was such a bright of sunshine and had a Loving way about her. We will miss her smile and miss hearing her play the piano from outside. May our gracious Lord lift her to the heavens. God Bless, Tom & Judy THOMAS & JUDITH ANDREWS, JULY 25, 2018 Pat sorry to hear about your Mother. I will keep you and your family in my prayers. GEORGE HAFERTEPE, JULY 25, 2018 Mrs. Gillock was my music teacher at Good Shepherd and I loved ner! I remember having fun hanging out with Carol who was my age. My prayers are with you! I always loved listening to your mom speak as her accent was so cool! She was such a gracious lady! DEBBIE MERKEL (HEITMEYER), JULY 25, 2018 I have known Ruth for 40+ years being her daughter Lisa's best friend for all of that time. I always adored Lisa's mom growing up because she was so beautiful and she had an accent, which I loved and was fascinated by. I feel very blessed to have known her and all of the Gillock family and I will never forget the memories. She is in my heart and I will always remember her. I know she is in heaven with my mom and with everlasting peace. Love and peace to all. Jacque JACQUELINE DESTERBECQ, JULY 25, 2018 Ruth was such a beautiful woman, inside and out. I will never forget how she made us all feel welcomed in her home during our high school years. Her beautiful children are a testimony to her wonderful mothering. My thoughts and prayers are with your family. MARLENE MATHEWSON, JULY 24, 2018 We are blessed here at St. Jude Catholic Church to host the Funeral Mass of Resurrection for God's beloved daughter in Christ, Ruth R. Chin. Our prayers and most deep sympathy go out for all the members of her Family and Friends. We pray that all our intentions and endeavors to console and comfort Ruth Chin's Family & Friends will help to manifest the Glory of God in this Sacred Celebration of Life. May Ruth Chin's musical Soul now be dancing and singing with all the Choirs of Heavenly Angels. May her Soul and the Souls of all the Faithful departed, through the Divine Mercy of God, Rest In Peace. Amen. With Faith and Compassion in Christ Jesus, The Pilgrim People of St. Jude. DEACON RON FEJERAN, JULY 24, 2018 Family Owned Since 1945 Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow is the premier provider of funeral services in North Texas, with seven convenient locations and three beautiful memorial parks. We are a locally owned family business that has served North Texas for over 70 years. Families who visit us receive the highest quality of professionalism and service, with compassion and care that are unsurpassed.