Obituary of Ruth Sperry Marum

Ruth Sperry Marum, age 92, on July 17, 2016, in Ashburn, VA, after a brief illness. Ruth was born on September 1, 1923 in Springfield, MA, the daughter of George W. Sperry and Etta (Kirby) Sperry. In 1950 she married Thomas E. Marum, of Fall River, MA. She lived in that city from 1950 until moving to Fairfax, VA in 1961 when her husband, an attorney, joined the U.S. Department of Justice. Ruth graduated from the University of Massachusetts in 1944 with a degree in chemistry. She received a master’s degree in elementary education from George Mason University in 1973. She began her teaching career in 1966 at St. Leo’s School in Fairfax and was principal of Holy Spirit School in Annandale from 1973 until her retirement in 1987. In 2001, she and her husband moved to Lansdowne, VA, where they lived until moving to Ashburn in 2015. During her retirement she pursued many interests, including genealogy, early New England history, antique Staffordshire ceramics, needlework, and watercolor painting. Her husband, Thomas E. Marum, died earlier this year. Ruth is survived by four daughters: Suzanne M. Kidd (Daniel) of New Rochelle, NY, Amy E. Marum (Ronald Grogan) of Manassas, VA, Jane Marum Roush (David) of Fairfax, VA, and Elizabeth M. Ross (Van) of Springfield, VA. She is also survived by ten grandchildren: Megan Kidd Blood (Travis), Ellen Kidd, Declan Grogan, Conor Grogan, Maeve Grogan, Adam Roush, Abigail Roush Quintong (James), Emilie Roush, Kimberly Ross, and Vivian Ross. Her son, Thomas E. Marum, Jr., died in 1975. The family will receive guests on July 23, from 11 a.m. until Mass of Christian Burial at 12 noon at St. Theresa Catholic Church, 21370 St. Theresa Lane, Ashburn, VA. Burial will follow at Fairfax Memorial Park, Fairfax, VA. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Ruth’s name to Loudoun Interfaith Relief, 750 Miller Drive, S.E., Suite A-1, Leesburg, VA 22075, or Westport Land Conservation Trust, P.O. Box 3975, 830 Drift Road, Westport, MA 02790. Information and condolences www.adamsgreen.com