Martin, Ruth T.

Ruth T. Martin, 83, of Cedar Rapids, died Friday, Feb. 25, 2011, of complications following surgery at Mercy Medical Center. A visitation will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. Monday, Feb. 28, at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home, with a rosary at 5:30 p.m. Funeral services will be held 2:30 p.m. Tuesday at St. Matthew's Church. A luncheon will be held at the church before the service beginning at 1:30 p.m. Burial will be in Des Moines at Glendale Cemetery, next to her mother, Margaret Martin.

Ruth was born Feb. 23, 1928, in Des Moines, Iowa. She graduated from Clark College in Dubuque and was a member of the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary for 29 years. During that period, she taught in Maywood, Ill., West Hempstead, N.Y., St. Jude's in Cedar Rapids and Kauai, Hawaii. Following, she earned her master's degree at Boston College and taught in Holliston, Mass., for 10 years. She also worked at Rapids Chevrolet, the Cedar Rapids Gazette and Mercy Hospital Gift Shop. Until the last few weeks, Ruth was a teacher volunteer at the Catherine McAuley Center and a volunteer at St. Matthew's Mothers' Morning Out program.

Aunt Ruthie, as she was called by her family, is survived by a twin brother, Dr. Raymond J. (Louise Blaul) Martin of Walpole, Mass., and his children, Ted (Darlene), Chris, Cathy (Louie), Molly, Timmy (Ninfa), Julie (Marsden), Louise and families; brother-in-law, William Fletcher of Cedar Rapids, and his sons, Dan and Andrew (Shelley) and families; a special cousin, Mary Rita (Bob) Burns of Iowa City and families; cousins, William Murphy of Des Moines, Ed (Cher) Cunningham of Shelbyville, Ky., and family and Nancy (Jim) Murphy Murray of Davenport, and families; and a special friend, Sister Nan Ross of Dubuque.

Special thanks goes to Julia Sexton and Sister Nan Ross for their special love and care.

Aunt Ruthie was a model of how to care for other people, especially her family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Catherine McAuley Center.