Ruth Mackay Challis

November 10, 1922 - September 24, 2014

Ruth Mackay Challis passed away Sept. 24th, 2014 at her residence at Courtyard at Jamestown in Provo, Utah. Born on Nov. 10th 1922 in Taylorsville, Utah, to Walter Scott Mackay and Merelda Burton Mackay. Married James Wood Challis on Jan. 14, 1944 in the Salt Lake Temple. Parents of Rebecca (Larry) Stubbs, Jane (Scott) Strong, James W. (Chris) Challis, Annette (Bill) Moon, Colleen (Doug) Higham, Daniel M. (Janny) Challis, David W. (Mary) Challis and Thomas M. (Shauna) Challis. Ruth grew up in Salt Lake City and attended South High School where she met the love of her life James Wood Challis. They were introduced by their mothers who knew each other from work. They fell in love and one month after Jim returned from a mission in California, they were married in the Salt Lake Temple. They lived in Salt Lake City while Jim attended the University of Utah. After graduation they moved with their first two children to San Francisco, Ca. They lived there for about seven years where four more children were born. In 1955 they moved back to Salt Lake City where they lived for thirteen years and added another two children to their family. In 1968 it was back to the Bay Area specifically Walnut Creek where they lived until retirement. At retirement they returned to Salt Lake City. Ruth lived in her home in Cottonwood Heights until 2007 when she moved to her current residence at Courtyard at Jamestown in Provo, Utah. Ruth served in many positions in her church including serving with her husband in the Jordan River Temple Presidency. Following that experience, they served a mission to the England Coventry Mission, Michigan Detroit Mission and the Family History Library. She is survived by her three siblings Ella Steffensen, Walter Scott Mackay, and Richard Burton Mackay, her four daughters and four sons, 31 granddaughters and 31 grandsons, and 165 great grandchildren. Viewing Friday, Sept. 26th, 2014 at the Provo Sharon East Stake Center, 2400 N 1060 E. Provo, UT from 6:30 to 8:30 pm. The funeral services will be held at Butler West Stake Center, 1845 E. 7200 S. Cottonwood Heights, UT on Sat. Sept. 27th, 2014 at 12 noon with a viewing before from 10:00 to 11:15.