Ruth B. McDonald, 99, a most gracious lady and talented singer, passed away on Thursday, October 13, 2005, in Fort Collins. Cremation will be competed, and a memorial service will be at 2 p. m. Tuesday, Oct. 25, at Parkwood Estates Retirement Residence, 2201 S. Lemay Ave. Internment of Ruth's cremated remains will take place in the Poudre Canyon Chapel Columbarium at a later date.
Ruth Pauline Burnett was born Dec. 8, 1905, in Fort Collins, the daughter of Frank Jones Burnett and Gertrude (Dinnebeck) Burnett. Her father was a leading citizen and Larimer County Clerk during the early part of the century. At age 87, he wrote a book entitled "Golden Memories of Colorado." Her mother was also a Fort Collins native. Many early residents remember the Dinnebeck Cafe owned by Ruth's uncle.
As a young girl, Ruth took piano, singing and ballet lessons. She tried out in Denver for Gilbert and Sullivan's "H.M.S." Pinafore" and was given the lead. She attended Fort Collins High School and moved to Phoenix, where she graduated from high school as a classmate of Barry Goldwater. Ruth and her brothers were all christened in the First Methodist Church in Fort Collins. Ruth was also a member of Divine Science in Denver.
Ruth attended the Arizona Conservatory of Music and learned to sing in English, Italian, Latin, German and French. She was a soloist at a dinner when the Arizona Biltmore Hotel was built in 1926. She also sang at the Orpheum and later studied music at the University of Colorado at Boulder.
Ruth married Lynn William Rice and had one son, Lynn William "Bill" Rice II. After her husband died, Ruth continued to perform. Their son attended a military academy, married and had four children, Mark, Mindy, Maura and Peter. Ruth later married Robert McDonald, who was in partnership with McDonald's Investment Company in Denver. He was active in the Masonic Lodge and Shriners. Ruth was a "Daughter of the Nile" (El Mejdel Temple, 1949) and performed for many children at Shriners' hospitals. She also helped handicapped children through music therapy.
During the depression, music was not in high demand and Ruth began modeling for stores such as Daniels and Fisher and Gano Downs. She modeled at the Brown Palace for the Denver Press Club and style shows. She promoted the First Galas in the 1970s, which were musical performances that provided scholarships. She directed Galas at Rocky Mountain High School and the Lincoln Center.
Ruth loved to travel. She especially loved Estes Park. One of her most memorable trips was traveling to the Holy Lands and singing on a cruise ship.
Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, her husband; grandson, Mark Rice; and two brothers, Ray and Ben Burnett.
She is survived by her grand-children, Maura, Peter and Mindy; and her great-grandson, Andrew. Also surviving is her daughter-in-law, Linda Rice and cousin, Roberta "Bobby" Neal.
Visit www.allnutt.com to view an online obituary and sign a family guest book.

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