Marilyn Irene Ruark
March 29, 1938 – May 18, 2020
Marilyn Irene Ruark passed away on May 18, 2020 at her home at Asbury-Solomons.
She was born in 1938 in Lock Haven, PA to Earl and Marian Maurer. She graduated from Kenwood High School in Essex, Maryland where she discovered her talent as an artist. She was an artist both professionally and personally throughout her life.
Marilyn worked as a draftsman, technical illustrator and graphic artist in early space age technology drawing everything from wiring diagrams to radar antennas, details in engineering manuals and logos.
She pursued an art degree and taught art at elementary schools and the Calvert County Marine museum. She worked with several theater groups in set design and decoration.
Marilyn’s personal artistic skills created paintings, sculptures, quilts, clothes, home decor and costumes that her family will cherish.
She loved caring for her gardens, her pets, her family, her friends and her community. She loved watching all types of critters. She volunteered to teach people about wildlife at the museum and various local festivals.
Marilyn had many adventures traveling with her family and friends and had the opportunity to see most of the US along with Bermuda, Roatan, Bonaire, Grenada, Mexico, Costa Rica, Canada, Scotland, and Ireland.
Marilyn is survived by her loving husband of 62 years, Fred Ruark, brother Bill Maurer and his wife Debbie of Kernersville, NC, son Jeff Ruark and his wife Kim of Towson, MD and daughter Beth Ruark of Duluth, MN. Her grandchildren are Kati Ruark and her husband Daniel Dziuban of Durham, NC, Will Ruark and his wife Stuart Yochem of Charlotte, NC, Emily Richey of Duluth MN and Grace Richey of Leadville, CO.
Donations on Marilyn’s behalf can be made to Ronald McDonald House Charities Maryland, Calvert Marine Museum and/or Asbury Solomons Foundation Benevolent Fund
Visitation
Services
- No Services Scheduled at This Time
No Services Available
Interment
- Private
Contributions
Condolences
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My Dear Fred; how can I possibly thank you for sharing your loving wife with us? She was a bright spot in every day. My words will never lessen your pain. I pray your faith can carry you through this sadness. We love you dearly. The Ruarks are a true part of our Asbury Family. My prayers are with you.
Oh, the memories of being neighbors for so many years. Marilyn was so helpful in so many ways. I remember the ice storm of 1994 and camping out in your living room with my two babies. I remember Marilyn helping me with gardening and always including us with special outdoor activities. She was an amazing woman and will be missed.
Dear Fred,
I have just found out about Marilyn’s passing and I find myself searching for words that might ease your pain. Many of my fondest high school memories were spent with Marilyn decorating the gymnasium for dances and particularly Prom. Of course, with all of Marilyn’s artistic talents , she generally headed up the committee. She would work our rears off but make a fun time out of it also. I remember one year when she had painstakingly drawn up a mural for the wall and had a couple of us putting it up. We had just finished getting the mural completely up when Marilyn walked over stood there a minute and said with a straight face before she broke out laughing ‘ You got it on upside down’.
Marilyn will be missed but she will always be in our memories . Please except my condolences.
Sort Comments
My Dear Fred; how can I possibly thank you for sharing your loving wife with us? She was a bright spot in every day. My words will never lessen your pain. I pray your faith can carry you through this sadness. We love you dearly. The Ruarks are a true part of our Asbury Family. My prayers are with you.
Oh, the memories of being neighbors for so many years. Marilyn was so helpful in so many ways. I remember the ice storm of 1994 and camping out in your living room with my two babies. I remember Marilyn helping me with gardening and always including us with special outdoor activities. She was an amazing woman and will be missed.
Dear Fred,
I have just found out about Marilyn’s passing and I find myself searching for words that might ease your pain. Many of my fondest high school memories were spent with Marilyn decorating the gymnasium for dances and particularly Prom. Of course, with all of Marilyn’s artistic talents , she generally headed up the committee. She would work our rears off but make a fun time out of it also. I remember one year when she had painstakingly drawn up a mural for the wall and had a couple of us putting it up. We had just finished getting the mural completely up when Marilyn walked over stood there a minute and said with a straight face before she broke out laughing ‘ You got it on upside down’.
Marilyn will be missed but she will always be in our memories . Please except my condolences.