Ruth McGinnis – October 6, 2009

Posted on: October 6th, 2009 by Amy Grant 11 Comments

It is with a heavy heart and yet with great hope in the life to come that we share the news that Amy's dear friend and frequent collaborator, Ruth McGinnis, passed away today at her home in Nashville, Tennessee, after a courageous 3 year battle with Ovarian cancer. She will be missed by all of us who were fortunate enough to call her friend and who had the honor of working with her. She was an incredibly gifted and accomplished violinist who graced the stage with Amy on numerous occassions. You can learn more about her music and life at her website: www.ruthmcginnis.com

Amy wrote a personal tribute to Ruth for The Tennessean, which will run in tomorrow's paper. You can read the online article here

We will post additional information about the service and donation made in lieu of flowers in the coming days.

Janice

The first time I heard Ruth play was in autumn 2007, at Amy’s book reading at Davis-Kidd. Quite simply, she took my breath away. I felt that I had been transported to heaven and was listening to an angel. I had never heard the violin played so beautifully. I learned that she would be appearing there again a few weeks later, and a friend and I drove the 130 miles from our home just to hear her. Ruth had such a pure and beautiful heart that was reflected in her music and her writing. We purchased all of her albums that evening. I have since been ever so grateful for that evening and for that opportunity to have her albums. A few weeks later, my 40 years old daughter who has Down Syndrome became very ill and has since been unable to walk. Ruth’s music has time and again lifted our spirits, and has provided my daughter and me so many hours of pleasure during these last twenty-one months. Thank you Amy, for providing us with the opportunity to hear that beautiful young woman perform.
Shannon

I am very sorry for your loss. Mu husbands grandmother dies on Tuesday of the same cancer. We will keep you in our thoughts and prayers.
Shannon
http://www.nortonstudio.com Jen Norton

Amy, so sorry for your loss of your dear friend. My prayers are with you and all those who loved her today.
Jen
Carol Day

Amy
I first met Ruth at my own daughters cancer benefit that ended up being post humous. We spoke about Jen’s own battle with ovarian cancer at that time and I gave her a hug that came from a grieving mother to a hopeful woman. We know where Ruth is and my heart goes out to her family and friends during this time. Our hope is in Christ who went before us. I know Jen was there when Ruth was accepted into Christ’s loving arms. To God be the Glory.
Mary Kean

Oh Amy:
It’s so touching how God let’s us find these nuggets of gold at specific times in our lives. I mean – I had never heard of Rich’s music or writings until two weeks before he passed – and they still help me today.
This is the first time I have ever heard Ruth play – when I flipped out to her site. Really the first I have ever heard of her. How Beautiful. Her playing is a bit more than music….it’s piercing my heart. What a wonderful gift I can share with my family and friends this Christmas. One of her albums.
Remember the first time you ever heard her play? That’s what I’m talking about.
Words from Twila:
A visitor from Heaven…accompanied by Grace. Reminding of a better love and of a better place. With aching hearts and empty arms – we send you with a name. It hurts so much to let you go….But We’re So Glad You Came -
We’re so glad you came.
We’ll be praying for her friends and family at this time.
Carolyn

Amy, I am so so sorry for your loss. I am thinking this is the woman you wrote about in your book. Since I first read that, I have been praying that she would make it; today, upon reading your blog, I now grieve with you in her loss, but I love the note above that says, “We’re so glad you came”. Just know that you are surrounded by love and Ruth, her friends, family, and loved ones also. May your soul be uplifted during this time of mourning.
mimi

Amy, I am so very sorry for the loss of your friend. It is evident she was a gift from God in the same way that you are.
Sue

I became aquainted with Ruth through Amy via the FOA (hardcopy) newsletters & House of Love video back in the late 80′s & 90′s. Ruth is tall and thin and into fitness and eating healthy. She even had Amy doing that ball rolling exercise and she always gave extremely healthy recipes in her column in Amy’s newsletter! I heard her play the fiddle once in one of Amy’s concert. What I admire and respect most in Ruth is that she showed me (through reading her posted online journals) that satan didn’t get victory over her life through ovarian cancer. You see, she took what was meant for evil and turned it into GOOD by getting close to Jesus during her time of trial. I truly believe that it was VERY PRECIOUS in GODS sight on October 6th to see his beloved Ruth come home to him!
Mandy Calloway, RDH

Sorry for your loss, Amy…no words can really express the depth of your sorrow. I was priviledged to meet you at The Extraordianry Women’s conference in Roanoke Virginia the last week of September…I felt your pain as you sang on stage and expressed your love and concern for your dear friend.
Praying for you during this difficult time.
http://www.twitter.com/marceeenha Marcinha

Hello Amy!
God bless you!
I hope you have a happy new year!
Do you know Paul Washer?
Watch this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQBBfidnz7A&feature=related
Kisses,
Marcia (from Brazil).
Henrique

Hi Amy, I´m another friend from Brazil, who was touched by the message about Ruth McGinnis. There aren´t enough words to express the feeling of saying goodbye to our friends. But, God brought to my mind this song: “and friends are friends forever, if the Lord is Lord of them”. Soon, we will be, all together, praise the Lamb of God, like described in the book of Revelation. God bless you!

Ruth McGinnis – October 6, 2009

Categories