Mary-Ruth was born and grew up in Kirkland Lake, the proud daughter of a gold miner. Her first Music Director position was at Trinity United Church when she was in high school. Her family moved to North Bay and Mary-Ruth went on to study music full-time in Toronto and Waterloo, attending The Royal Conservatory of Music, University of Toronto, and Wilfrid Laurier University. 

While studying various genres of music, Mary-Ruth felt called to devote her career to education and to Christian Music Ministry. This calling has found her in places such as Toronto, Dunnville, Hamilton, and most recently Whitby. 

Mary-Ruth was very excited to move back north to join the Bracebridge United Church leadership team in January 2016, because wherever her journey has led her, she has always been a 'northern' girl. When not on the organ or piano bench, Mary-Ruth can usually be found in her sewing room working on another passion of hers, quilting.