Ruth Lanning Marvel

OCEAN VIEW - Ruth Lanning Marvel, peacefully passed away on Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2008, in Delaware Hospice in Milford. Ruth was born in Bristol, Conn., on April 18, 1931, to the late Lester A. Lanning and Mildred Phelps Lanning. She was a graduate of Boston University and received her masters in education at the University of Delaware. Ruth began her career as Director of Recreational Activities at Delaware State Hospital. She served in the Caesar Rodney School District for 30 years as an instructor of special education and later as Assistant Principal of Allen Frear Elementary and W.B. Simpson Elementary schools. She and her late husband, Hugh Marvel, summered and later retired to Ocean View. Ruth was an active member of the Ladies Auxiliary since 1980. She was very involved in all of the LAVFW programs, especially in the area of Youth Scholarship programs. She served as an auxiliary officer from 2002 until her illness. Ruth continued in the role of adviser and still attended monthly meetings when able. She traveled to San Antonio, Texas; Cincinnati, Ohio; and Reno, Nevada bringing back awards to her Auxiliary. She is survived by a daughter, Melinda M. Martin and her husband Robert C. Martin of Rehoboth Beach; stepdaughters, Sophie Marvel of Lewes, and Muff Marvel of Ocean View; grandchildren, Matt Martin and Ashley Martin of Rehoboth Beach, Kimberly Burton of Lewes, Penny Kinsey of Park City, Utah; great-grandchildren, Luke and Allaire Burton, and Khaki and Ketch Kinsey. She was preceded in death by her husband, Hugh Marvel; brother, Lester Lanning; and stepson, Luke Marvel. A memorial service will be 11 a.m., Monday in St. Georges Chapel located on Route 23, Beaver Dam Road in Angola. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to either Delaware Hospice Center, 100 Patriot's Way, Milford, DE 19963, or VFW Post 7234 (Ocean View), 29265 Marshy Hope Way, Ocean View, DE 19970. Arrangements by Parsell Funeral Home.