Dr. Ruth Marshall

Intelligent and dedicated, Ruth Marshall possessed a bachelor’s degree, two master’s degrees, and a doctorate – the majority of which were completed while working full-time! Even more than her academic brilliance, however, what friends and family will remember most about Ruth is her generosity. Ruth loved helping others, and always a – she was happier shopping for others than shopping for herself. Ruth’s ethic of hard work, unfailing kindness, and true concern for others will live on in the hearts and memories of all those whose lives she touched, both as a cherished memory and a source of inspiration .

Ruth was born on February 2, 1950 in Detroit, Michigan, sharing her birth year with the invention of the pager, the creation of the Peanuts comic strip, and the use of the first charge cards. Her proud parents were Donald and Lois (McKean) Marshall.

The middle child, Ruth grew with her siblings Karen and Tim. Her father, Donald, who at that time worked at the Chrysler Redstone Rocket Assembly plant, while her mother, Lois, was a homemaker. When the time came for Ruth to go to school, she attended classes at Lawrence A. McKinney Elementary. She excelled in her classes, and was accepted at the Cass Technical High School for gifted students. The campus was downtown, and Ruth had to take the city bus to and from school every day. The bus fare, 25¢, was a strain on the family budget, but Ruth’s parents believed in the value of education, and wanted to give their daughter as many opportunities as possible. Ruth studied business at Cass Technical, and graduated in 1968.

After high school, Ruth went on to study Religious Education at Detroit Bible College, where she graduated Magna Cum Laude in 1972. In the years that followed, Ruth would teach high school history and work as a librarian, while at the same time completing her master’s degree. In fact, Ruth successfully completed two master’s degrees: one in history from Eastern Michigan University and one in American History from the University of Michigan. She then went on to work as a librarian at Emmaus Bible College while earning a doctorate in Instructional Technology from North Illinois University.

In the early 1970s, Ruth moved Columbia, South Carolina, which would be her home for many years. She joined the staff of Columbia Bible College, and also helped to develop classes via TV for South Carolina Public Television. Ruth made many good friends in the Columbia area, and enjoyed quilting in her free time. She and her friends rarely kept their creations for themselves, instead preferring to auction the quilts off for charity. Ruth also enjoyed visiting nearby Charleston, South Carolina, where she usually spent her time at historic sights and art shows. To relax, Ruth loved watching classic movies and munching on her favorite Chinese dish, “moo goo gai pan.”

Ruth kept moving southwards, and in the 1990’s she settled in Florida. She had been invited to work for the University of Central Florida, where she served as the Director of Educational Technology and Media Services. In this role, she helped design and support the remote campuses network, a growing field in our increasingly interconnected world. In addition to these duties, Ruth was also responsible for setting up the technology functions of the university’s new medical school.

Even though Ruth’s career ended up focusing on information services rather than history, the study of history remained a lifelong passion. She was the unofficial family historian, even taking a trip to Scotland to conduct research, and succeeded in tracing their genealogical roots back to Great Britain. Ruth also enjoyed hobbies such as wildlife photography, gardening, and reading, especially novels and history. She loved animals, and always had dogs or cats living with her. Ruth also had a deep commitment to her faith in Christ, and in each new city found a church community to join.

Sadly, in early 2000 Ruth was diagnosed with non-alcoholic cirrhosis of the liver. The ammonia toxicity spread throughout her body rapidly, and significantly affected her cognitive skills and mobility. In the fall of 2011, Ruth retired for health reasons and moved into a condo at Rest Haven Homes in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She continued to be active in her chosen field, however, and assisted Rest Haven Homes with their technology needs.

Intelligent, generous, and kindhearted, Ruth was a loving daughter, sister, and aunt, a talented academician, and a loyal friend. She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by her many friends and family members.

Dr. Ruth Marshall passed away unexpectedly on February 12, 2013, at the age of 63. Ruth’s family includes her mother, Lois Marshall; her siblings, Karen (Ted) Thisse and Tim (Rebekah) Marshall; and several nieces, nephews, and friends. She was preceded in death by her father, Donald.

A Memorial Service will be held at 10 a.m. on Monday, February 18, at Rest Haven Homes, 1424 Union Ave NE. A private interment was held at the Fairplains Cemetery on February 15, 2013. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in her memory to Rest Haven Homes would be appreciated. Please visit Ruth’s personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com, where you can learn more about her life, share a favorite memory or photo, and sign the online guestbook.