Ruth Irene Marchese Obituary 1927-2020 Ruth Fitz Maurice Marchese passed away peacefully at the Holland Christian Home, North Haledon, NJ on Sunday December 20, 2020. Ruth passed away from health issues not related to Covid-19 at 93 years old. She had been at the Holland Christian Home for over two years. Her husband Roger predeceased Ruth in August 2018 also at the age of 93 years old. Ruth is survived by her two children, son Kim Marchese & Linda (Oakland, NJ) and daughter, Susan Marchese Green & Terry (Laramie, Wyoming). Ruth is also survived by two grandchildren, Kevin Marchese & Maya (Exeter, NH) and Michele Marchese Pruess & Jonathan(Hailey, Id), great granddaughter Nina Lynn Marchese and great grandson Owen Roger Preuss. Ruth graduated from Bogota High School in 1945 and attended Montclair State College from 1945-1949. Ruth majored in business but received additional credits in order to teach early education. Ruth met her husband Roger Marchese at Montclair and were married in 1949. After renovating a chicken coop on the family chicken farm in Wyckoff, NJ, Roger and Ruth moved in for the next six years. Roger and Ruth then proceeded to move to Oakland where she and Roger raised their two children and lived there for more than 64 years. Ruth taught elementary education at Manito School in Oakland for 25 years. Ruth almost finished a book of all the funny and unexpected things that her second grade students said over the years. One of her favorite stories was after showing where the continent of Antarctica was located, she pointed out to the top of the earth and asked the class what this area was called. A student raised his hand and said, “Uncle Arctica”. Ruth volunteered at the school she so loved for several years after retirement. Ruth enjoyed playing tennis and was a member of the Oakland Team Tennis league. She had served as captain and was engaged in the organization of the adult tennis league for many years. She was also a member of Ponds Reformed Church in Oakland. Ruth loved to sew and knit for all her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She had a love for planning big backyard picnics, Aquasize, tap dancing, travelling and camping at all the National Parks. Ruth will be remembered as a compassionate and loving mother, grandmother and friend. She taught us all how to play music on the piano, bake, sing, laugh, tell jokes and to be there for one another always. She will be sorely missed. We would like to thank the entire Holland Christian Home staff for their outstanding compassion, love and care for Mom. In lieu of flowers, donations in Ruth’s name to the Holland Christian Home(151 Graham Avenue North Haledon, NJ 07508) or Ponds Reform Church(341 Ramapo Valley Road Oakland, NJ 07436) would be appreciated. There will be a memorial/service come this summer for Ruth.