Ruth B McNally

Ruth was born June 3, 1931, in Mott, North Dakota to Paul & Frieda (Betz) Blickensderfer who came from Germany. She grew up on a humble farm during the depression years. Ruth earned a Nursing Degree from Bismarck Junior College in 1951. She then began a life of adventure. She joined the U.S. Air Force in 1956-1959 and went to Newfoundland Air Base, above Nova Scotia. She earned the title of 1st Lieutenant. There she received a certificate for Aviation Nursing. Her job was to fly around in an airplane searching for wounded soldiers. She also received a certificate for Pistol Marksmanship that led her to place 6th among 130 entries in Small Arms Competition. She was named a modern Annie Oakley in Air Force Blue. "A pistol in one hand and a hypodermic needle in the other. If you see Ruth Blickensderfer with these in her hands, you are going to get shot one way or another". They needed nurses at ARAMCO in Saudi Arabia, so she became the staff nurse for the oil company. She loved Saudi Arabia at the time. King Abdulaziz – Al Saud would ride through the camp on horseback and throw coins to the peasants. Ruth traveled to Switzerland, Austria and Germany often to go snow skiing. She water skied in the Persian Gulf. She went to the Orient on vacation.Her travels took her to Hong Kong, Japan, India, Italy, North Africa, Germany, England, Denmark, France, Spain, Portugal, Switzerland, Austria, Mexico, Persian Gulf, Saudi Arabia and Canada. She met her future husband, Donald McNally, an airplane mechanic, in Saudi Arabia and they married September 20, 1962, back in the States. She became head nurse at a private hospital in California. She had their son, Bennett Paul in 1964. They moved to Virginia so Don could work for Ethol Corporation. Shortly after the move, Don had a stroke and died in 1996. Ruth began a career as the Post Mistress at Bowling Green, Virginia and received a Service Award for her 25 years of service to the Government. At age 80, she went to work at Ukrops working in the Deli and then in the Pharmacy giving shots. As an adventurous, spirited woman, she made a tremendous impact on others all over the world. But we would say, her greatest impact is the one she made by living her life for Jesus and sharing faith, gifts and bounties of her garden with others right here at home in Virginia. We believe her greatest flight is going Home to Heaven. Her son, Bennett preceded her in death in 2015. She was also preceded in death by her siblings, Kurt Blickensderfer, Dora Blickensderfer McCoy and Paul Blickensderfer. She is survived by her Sisters-In-Love, Darlene Blickensderfer and Edna Blickensderfer and many nieces and nephews. Many thanks to her church and the many wonderful friends who made sure she got to church and other activities. You were her family away from family.

Memorials have been suggested to Taylorsville Baptist Church, 15415 Taylorsville Road, PO Box 129, Doswell VA 23047. A Memorial Service will be held at a later date. Ruth's family extends a heartfelt thank you to Kevin and Jenny McLaughlin and their family for their faithful care and companionship to Ruth. She loved you dearly.