Avon Obituary: Marie Wall, 93

Marie Ruth Wall died peacefully among family members on August 26 at the age of 93.

A friend to many, and always to the dispossessed and those in need, she was a cultural leader in many different settings. Born Marie Ruth Fast in Mountain Lake, Minnesota, she graduated with a degree in literature from Hamline College. In November of 1946, she married Gaylord Norman Wall, also from Mountain Lake and a friend since their college years. Both were of the Mennonite faith. From that marriage came three surviving sons, Timothy Lee, Jeremy Frederic and Henry Benjamin.

After teaching school in Minnesota and Pittsburgh, Marie Ruth received a master’s degree from CW Post College with a thesis on colonial-era printer Alden Spooner. She was promoted to the position of head librarian at Smithtown Central High School on Long Island, New York. In this vicinity, she also worked voluntarily in support of seasonal migrant farm workers. In the 1980s she served as a Witness for Peace in Nicaragua, a virtual hostage to forestall violence from either side in that country’s civil war. Separately, she volunteered as librarian on a Hopi Indian Reservation in Arizona, under the auspices of the Mennonite Central Committee.

Marie Ruth was active in her several communities. She was an involved church member including in the choir; an activist within the teachers’ union; she led a book club for interested students; took part in demonstrations for peace and in canvassing for the Democratic Party; and attended numerous charity events

Upon her retirement and that of her husband, they moved to Avon, Connecticut in 1987. Gaylord died in 2011, and Marie Ruth continued in her role as a distinguished supporter of the arts and culture, especially at the Wadsworth Atheneum in Hartford. She is also survived by her brother, Robert Fast.

Marie Ruth’s family will receive friends on Sunday, September 6th from 1 – 2:30 PM at Carmon Funeral Home & Family Center, 301 Country Club Road, Avon. A Memorial Service will follow at 3 PM at West Avon Congregational Church, 280 Country Club Road, Avon. The Rev. Dr. Brian C. Hardee will officiate.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to West Avon Congregational Church, or Mennonite Central Committee, 21 S 12th St, Akron, PA 17501.

See more at www.carmonfuneralhome.com.