Ruth Starshak Martin, age 93, 64 year resident of Elmhurst; a lifelong devoted Volunteer, Ruth held leadership positions with countless charities and organizations throughout her life. For her alma-mater, Mount Mary University (’50) she served on the Board of Governors and Board of Trustees, was an Advisor on the National Alumnae Board, along with numerous committees. Ruth held many positions at her parish of 64 years, Immaculate Conception, including Chair of the Parish Services Committee, the Advisory Council, the Coordinating Committee and the Council of Catholic Women. She also co-chaired the Vietnamese Resettlement Committee at IC. Ruth was a founding member of the People for Elmhurst Parks foundation, Chairman of the Elmhurst Park District Citizens Advisory Commission, Coordinator of the Park District’s Volunteer Services-facilitating the planting of hundreds of trees for Earth Day 1990. A few of the other organizations included Elmhurst Walk-In Ministry, United Community Concerns, The United Way (Director-At-Large), the Girl Scouts and Chair and Discussion Leader for Junior Great Books. Until just last year, Ruth was a Regional Award Judge for the Catholic Extension Society’s Lumen Christi Awards-a project that gave her great joy. Ruth held a wide variety of work positions, from NBC Television-securing props for live television shows, to Elmhurst College’s adult ed Center for Special Programs, the Office of Volunteer Services for Elmhurst Park District, Illinois Bell service rep and Marshall Fields sales clerk, among others. Ruth was the beloved wife of the late Edgar H. Martin; loving mother of Patty (Dee Schmidgall) Martin; dear sister of Sue (the late John) Klemmer, Joe (Mary Clare) Starshak and the late Thomas (the late Barb) and the late Albert (Mary) Starshak and the late Mary Kay (the late Hugh), fond aunt and great-aunt of many nieces and nephews. Visitation Friday, July 30, 2021, 9:00 a.m. until time of prayers 10:30 a.m. at Gibbons Funeral Home, 134 South York Road, (½ mile North of Saint Charles Road), Elmhurst. Mass of Christian Burial 11:00 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. MASKS REQUIRED AT VISITATION AND MASS due to private family health situation. No exceptions. Interment St. Alphonsus Catholic Cemetery, Lemont. The Mass will be livestreamed at the funeral home website. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Misericordia Heart of Mercy, 6300 North Ridge, Chicago, IL 60660 or Mount Mary University, 2900 North Menomonee River Pkwy, Milwaukee, WI 53222-4597. For funeral information please call 630-832-0018 or www.gibbonsfuneralhome.com
Ruth Starshak Martin
VISITATION
Friday
Jul
30
9:00 a.m. until 10:30 a.m.
Gibbons Funeral Home
134 South York Road
Elmhurst, IL 60126
VISITATION
FUNERAL SERVICE
Friday
Jul
30
11:00 a.m.
Immaculate Conception Catholic Church
134 Arthur Street
Elmhurst, Illinois
INTERMENT
Friday
Jul
30
Following Mass
Saint Alphonsus Catholic Cemetery
Lemont, Illinois
MEMORIAL CONTRIBUTIONS
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to
Misericordia Heart of Mercy, 6300 North Ridge, Chicago, IL 60660
or
Mount Mary University, 2900 North Menomonee River Pkwy, Milwaukee, WI 53222-4597
https://mtmary.edu/business-community/support/makeagift.html
Mary Clare Starmann-Harrison
Patty,
My sincere sympathy! Your Mom was a very special person. So many great memories! Mary Clare
Patty Martin
Thank you Mary Clare. My mom and I spoke of you a few weeks ago! She asked if we were in touch and if I knew if you were in Arizona still. We’ll have to re-connect!
Barb O'Connell Hoyt
Patty,
I’m so sorry to hear about your mother. Although I never met her, she sounds like a wonderful woman. Both your mother and you will be in my prayers. Eternal rest grant unto her O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her. May she rest in peace.
Barb
Patty Martin
Thank you so much Barb. She was. And, thank you for the prayers.
carol yesko
Ruth was a most kind, caring, thoughtful, generous woman. I enjoyed talking to Ruth
after Sunday Mass at Immaculate Conception. No matter how she was struggling physically she came to Mass.
I deeply appreciated her support and her interest in IC Daybreak Transitional Housing For The Homeless.
God truly blest her with a loving husband and daughter and a long significant life. She was a grand lady and I will miss her.
May she be held in love and peace in God’s arms.
Úna Stephens-Hardy
With my deepest sympathy to Patty and Dee. Rest in peace dear Ruth. Una
Pat Rogers
Patty,
With lots of love a bit belated, I did not know until today of your Mom’s passing. Sending prayers and goodness, I always thought your Mom was friendly, sparlie eye’d and cool. Thinking of you across the miles with peace.