Obituary of Ruth McVeigh

Ruth (Major) Jones McVeigh 

Born in Halifax, Nova Scotia, December 20, 1926 - Died, Ottawa, Ontario January 7, 2026

Ruth was a writer, journalist, and cultural builder whose most enduring legacy is her role as one of the founders of the Mariposa Folk Festival.

Together with her husband, Casey Jones, and her brother, David Major, Ruth helped establish the festival in its earliest years, laying the foundation for what would become one of Canada’s most influential and beloved folk music gatherings.

Their shared vision helped create a lasting celebration of music, storytelling, and community that continues to resonate nationally and internationally.

Ruth spent much of her life writing.

She began her career as a cub reporter at the Halifax Herald and Mail and went on to write entertainment reviews, feature articles, and opinion pieces for publications across Canada,

including the Toronto Star, newspapers in Halifax and Toronto, and Western Living magazine.

She worked as a correspondence writer for Audrey McLaughlin, MP on Parliament Hill  in Ottawa.

She was also the author of two non-fiction books, including Fogswamp (published 1976 by Hancock House) and Close Harmony (published 1984 by Theytus Books) among others.

Ruth is survived by her brother, David Major, and his wife Diane; her six children:

David Jones and his wife Carol; Bruce; Grace and her husband John Soloman; Barb Vivian; Thomas McVeigh; and Ilana Desousa and her husband Ian;

as well as her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Ruth will be remembered for her creativity, curiosity, and her lasting contribution to Canada’s cultural life.

In memory of Ruth, a donation to the Mariposa Folk Foundation would be greatly appreciated.