Ruth Hackett East

OBITUARY OF RUTH HACKETT EAST Ruth Hackett East passed peacefully on May 25, 2015, at her home in Pass Christian, Mississippi, at the age of 93. She was preceded in death by her mother Madeleine Bourne Hackett, father Allen Storr Hackett, granddaughter Mary Megan East, and her husband of nearly 50 years John Charles East. She was also preceded in death by her siblings Betsey Hackett Paterson, Mary Hackett Cummins, Richard Alexander Hackett and survived by sister Jane Hackett Hardin of Eureka Springs, Arkansas and sister-in-law Mildred Rodgers Hackett of New Orleans. She is survived by children Caroline East Perron (David), Richard Hackett East (Margaret), all of Pass Christian, MS, Charles Randolph East (Nellwyn) of Baton Rouge, LA, and John Lawrence East (Jeanne) of Knoxville, TN. She is also survived by grandchildren Lisa Perron Heifner (Robert), Suzanne Perron St. Paul (William), Kent Richard East, Courtni Ruth East, Brittni Elizabeth East, John Randolph East (Jamie), Emily Louise East, John David East and Thomas Joseph East, her step grandchildren Rachel Spiller Garrett (Paul), Catherine Spiller Rosenbaum (William), Derek Daniels (Lilly), Kimberly Daniels, her five great-grandsons, and five step-great-grandchildren. Ruth was born on August 31, 1921, in Cleveland, OH. She graduated from Louise S. McGehee School and Vassar College. She created the line of childrens’ clothing known as “Jibby”, taught sewing at Metairie Park Country Day School and worked in interior decorating for many years. Ruth sang in choirs from childhood, the first being Trinity Episcopal Church, Pass Christian, MS, followed by the newly formed a cappella choir at McGehee School, then St. Charles Avenue Presbyterian, Vassar College and St. Martin’s Episcopal Church. Her experiences included a lifetime highlight of singing Handel’s Messiah with the Vassar Choir at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City. She was a very active member of McGehee’s and Vassar’s alumni associations. Ruth retired to Pass Christian, MS in 1991 where she was an active member of the Pass Christian Historical Society and the Pass Christian Yacht Club Auxiliary where she served on the board. Private service will be held at Lake Lawn Metairie Cemetery, New Orleans. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Louise S. McGehee School, 2343 Prytania Street, New Orleans, LA, 70130; Vassar College, 124 Raymond Avenue, Poughkeepsie, NY 12064-0725, or the Pass Christian Library, 111 S. Hiern Avenue, Pass Christian, MS 39571. Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home, 15th Street, Gulfport is in charge of arrangements. View and sign register book at www.bradfordokeefe.com