Ruth Fireoved Marino, 77, died following an auto accident Nov. 19, 2024, in Bala Cynwyd, Pa. She was a school psychologist, mentor, historic preservationist, humble philanthropist, humanitarian, devoted wife and gifted cook.
She was born July 28, 1947, in Berne, Ind., where her father was a beloved veterinarian. She came to Philadelphia in the early 1970s and received a Ph.D. from Temple University with a focus on children’s development. Her work as a school psychologist spanned more than 35 years, largely in New Jersey school districts. She taught at both undergraduate and graduate levels in educational psychology and was a past president of the New Jersey Association of School Psychologists and active in the International School Psychology Association, attending its conferences worldwide.
Soon after her arrival in Philadelphia, she joined Germantown Mennonite Church, embracing its historical importance as the oldest Mennonite congregation in North America. She became a board member of Germantown Mennonite Historic Trust in 2000 and a board member of Historic Germantown, active in historic preservation.
Ruth married Stephen Marino in 1990 in Philadelphia, bringing to the marriage her mentorship of Leonard Royal.
Her love of cooking made her a legend. She prepared delicious dishes for special occasions as connective tissue to bond her many interests. Her meals for her Germantown congregation and those in need established her as the consummate food nurturer.
Guided by her Mennonite heritage and faith, Ruth made helping others her life’s work. To support a disabled member of her congregation, Ruth and Steve harvested peaches from a tree in their yard and sold jars of preserves by the dozen, plus Steve’s spaghetti “gravy” from an old Italian family recipe. Her diminutive stature disguised a giant heart that took the pulse of her community and applied her gifts and skills to maintain vitality in everything she touched.
