Ruth L. Marcus – (96) – of 9350 State Route 36, Arkport, NY died Tuesday afternoon (October 18, 2011) at the Steuben County Health Care Facility in Bath where she received excellent care for the past 14 months.

Born in Brooklyn, NY on September 5, 1915, she was the daughter of William & Helen (Monaghan) Long.

Ruth grew up in Hornell and was a graduate of St. Ann’s School and Hornell High School (class of 1934).  She later graduated from Geneseo Normal School where she received her teaching degree.  For the next few years she served as a school teacher at several schools, including Columbian School, St. Ann’s School and in Bishopville, NY.

She was married on September 5, 1942 to Gordon Marcus.  Ruth took time off from her teaching career to raise a family.  In 1955, she returned to teaching and from 1955-1967 taught 2nd Grade at Arkport Central School. 

Ruth, along with her husband, owned & operated Knollwood Farms, where many children were introduced to English Horsemanship.  Ruth enjoyed the horse shows that followed and the events of the Belle Hollow Hunt Club.  She was a communicant of St. Mary’s Church in Canaseraga where she and her family would often welcome new priests to their home for dinner and to enjoy themselves at Knollwood Farms.

In 1967 the family moved to New Jersey where Ruth taught 4th Grade in Lakehurst, NJ.  She retired in 1982 and returned to the Arkport area to be near her family.  She had been a member of several teachers’ organizations, including the Retired Teachers Association.  She enjoyed attending the annual luncheons, getting together with other retired teachers form the area. 

Ruth was a Buffalo Bills fan and enjoyed rooting for the Bills — especially during their glory years.  She enjoyed gardening and decorating her home.  She will be remembered as a very elegant woman by all who knew her.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Gordon, who died in 1975.  She was also preceded in death by her son, John W. Marcus who died in 1997; 2 brothers, John Long and William Long; 4 sisters, Mary Long, Carol Long, Helen Frantz and Katherine Reinhart.

Surviving are 3 daughters, Susan (Ken) Thompson of Arkport, Kathryn (Keith) Jamison of Pittsford and Mary Lee (Dick Muse) Marcus of North Hornell; 2 sons, Karl (Marjorie Antolik) Marcus of Sheridan, MT and Stephen (Gail Wechsler) Marcus of Arkport; her daughter-in-law, Susan (Wally) Jamison of Arkport; 11 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; many nieces & nephews.

The family of Ruth L. Marcus will receive friends on Friday from 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM the Dagon Funeral Home, 38 Church St., Hornell, NY.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday at 11:00 AM at St. Mary’s Church in Canaseraga with burial in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Canaseraga.

Ruth’s family request that memorial contributions in her name be made to the Steuben County Health Care Facility, 7009 Rumsey St. Ext.  Bath, NY 14810.  Memorial forms will be available at the Dagon Funeral Home.