Alys F. Macleod

Alys F. (Farnsworth) MacLeod, 94, of Westerly, formerly of Bristol and Providence, passed away peacefully on Friday, January 24, 2025. She was the devoted wife of the late R. Bruce MacLeod for 61 years before his passing in December of 2013. Born in Providence, RI, she was the daughter of the late William B. and Elizabeth (Matteson) Farnsworth. She graduated from Wheeler School (47) and Bryn Mawr College (51), and earned her Masters degree in Library Science at URI (74). A lifelong avid reader, Alys was a public-school librarian for over 25 years in the Providence and Bristol school systems. She was a member of the Friends of the Bristol Library for many years, and remained active in the Bryn Mawr alumni community throughout her life. Alys graciously hosted cousins, neighbors, friends, associates, and band members as if they were family. Her retention for lyric and obscure songs was unrivaled, fetching far back into her early childhood. She tended to break out in song, spontaneously, as a subject or topic came up, and often delivered poems or toasts poignant to the moment. Alys had a profound appreciation for music, and loved to sing; she knew music from Bach to Barnacle Bill. As a girl she sang in the Central Congregational Church choir in Providence, and later in the glee club at Bryn Mawr, the Worcester Chorus, and the Providence Singers. Alys was also a gifted linguist, having good skills in three foreign languages; she boasted to know one well enough to "not order eel for breakfast." Accents and dialects were childs play for her. Alys loved Narragansett Bay, and spent as much time as she could swimming, sailing, and cruising, especially with the South Bristol Yachting Association. She was a prolific note-writer, committed to staying in touch with new and old friends, and relations. Alys was famous for her lists, avoiding the Zeigarnik effect by staying wildly organized. She was quick to laugh, to smile, to welcome. However, her greatest gift to us all was her love of humor in all its forms, which was urged and fueled by the love of her life, Bruce. She is survived by her children: Elizabeth MacLeod, Roderick B. "Rory" MacLeod (Sandol), W. Tucker MacLeod (Ann), Caroline MacLeod Sawyer (David); her grandchildren: Alys Sawyer, Steven MacLeod Sawyer (Dawn), Linna Elizabeth MacLeod, Evans H. Ratliff; her great-grandchildren: Freeman MacLeod Sawyer and Kiyalynn Gail Sawyer; and many extended family and friends. In addition to her beloved husband and parents, Alys was pre-deceased by her brothers: William B. Farnsworth, Jr. and Ralph P. Farnsworth. She was also pre-deceased by her niece Elizabeth, and nephew, Robert L. Farnsworth (Georgia), but is survived by her grand-nephews Nathan Prescott and Tobias George Farnsworth of Maine. Interment services will be private, but a Celebration of Life gathering is planned for the late Spring. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in her name can be made to Save the Bay, 100 Save the Bay Dr. Providence, RI 02905, or to the Hope Hospice and Palliative Care Center, 1085 N. Main St., Providence, RI 02904.