Obituary of Mary Ruskavich

Mary Ann Ruskavich of Great Falls, VA passed away on Saturday, December 15, 2018 at the age of 71.

Mary Ann was born to parents Mary and Peter Ruskavich on April 18, 1947 in Northumberland County, PA.  She grew up close with her 3 siblings, Peter, Carol and Michael, and attended Sunbury High School, where she graduated in 1965.

She went on to attend University of Pennsylvania Nursing School where she received her RN certificate.  Through unyielding hard work and compassion for her patients, she was able to bring comfort to many children and their families through most difficult times.  She became the Head Nurse of Pediatric Oncology at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. 

In 1980, she was recruited by Bristol Laboratories, where she joined, trained, and entered the field of Pharmaceutical Sales, specializing in Oncology Medicine.  She excelled in sales, educating doctors on the latest cancer fighting drugs and treatments.  She changed roles to lead sales training teams, at Bristol Laboratories facilities in Syracuse, NY.   After two years training other Pharmaceutical Sales professionals, she was promoted to Divisional Sales Manager and then Regional Sales Manager at Bristol Laboratories.  In 1987 she took a position as Sales Director for Adria Laboratories.  In 1988, she was diagnosed with cancer, which ended her professional career.

After her treatment, she was limited by her physical immobility and moved back to Sunbury with her mother, where she purchased and restored a historic Victorian home, one of the first homes to use electric lights (converted from the original gas lights) just blocks away from the historic Edison Hotel.

In 2005, she relocated to Virginia to be close to, and enjoy time with her son and family.  Her family and friends admired Mary Ann for her strength and independence, but loved her for her warmth and caring.

Mary Ann is survived by her son Bryan and daughter-in-law Luli, grandchildren Owen, Madeline and Ethan.  She was preceded in death by her parents and siblings.

A memorial service will be held on Friday January 4th at 11:30 AM at St. Joseph’s of Herndon, VA.  A lunch at Amphora Diner in Herndon will follow.

In lieu of flowers, please send a donation to The National Breast Cancer Foundation https://donate.nationalbreastcancer.org/