A teacher's teacher, MaryBeth Ruthem, of Steubenville, passed away August 16, 2009 at The Laurels of Steubenville, after a brief illness. She was born on January 16, 1943. She was preceded in death by her parents James Richard Patrick and Linda Maxine Stewart Patrick and in 1997 by her husband Carl Ruthem, whom she married in 1971. MaryBeth's influence was felt throughout the community, particularly at Jefferson Community College, in her many roles, including part-time instructor, and later professor in business technologies, Acting Co-Dean, academic advisor, Phi Theta Kappa advisor, Total Quality Management Committee member, Student Senate advisor and member of College Image Team. She retired in 2005. MaryBeth's greatest satisfaction came from the growth and development of her students; she had a strong belief in the purpose of Phi Theta Kappa to enhance the leadership and service growth of students. She had the ability to identify the strengths of her students and develop the talents of each as organization members and leaders. Among her awards were the Robert Giles Award for Distinguished Advisor and the Continuing Excellence Advisor International Award. She guided Alpha Omicron Nu to No.15 in the nation, one of the most successful chapters in the Hallmark of Service. One could not walk down the street with MaryBeth without hearing a shouted greeting from one of her admiring former students. MaryBeth's other major commitment was Two Ridges Presbyterian Church, in Wintersville. Her responsibilities ranged from teaching Sunday School to the little ones to leadership training for new board members. She served as an Elder at Two Ridges and led the Evangelism Committee. She also served as a Moderator for the Ohio Valley Presbytery in Wheeling, W.Va. MaryBeth was a delegate to the 1980 Republican National Convention and held leadership positions in numerous State Republican campaigns. She was also active in the Jefferson County Heart Association and served on its development board. Others knew her as a certified administrator of the Myers Brigg Personality Indicator test. She worked as a home service advisor for the Steubenville Ohio Power Co. and participated in the television show "Consumer Quiz" for the Steubenville Chamber of Commerce. She remained active in the Electrical Women's Roundtable, a businesswomen's organization. She was a 1964 graduate in home economics from The Ohio State University and remained an ardent Buckeyes fan, with season tickets since her graduation. She received her MBA from Franciscan University, Steubenville. Survivors are her sister, M. Sue Patrick Zeeb (Pete), of Galena, Ohio; a brother, Richard L. Patrick (Beth), of Louisville, Ohio; two step-sons, David Ruthem, Folsom, La., and Mark Ruthem (Cindy), Glendale, Az., a step-daughter, Vicki Ruthem Atwater, Glendale, Az., six grandchildren, nephews, nieces and one great-niece. Visitation will be from 2-4 p.m. and 6-9 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 20 at Everhart-Bove Funeral Home, 685 Canton Rd., Winterville, Ohio. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Friday, Aug. 21 at Two Ridges Presbyterian Church, 1085 Canton Rd, Wintersville, Ohio. Burial following services at Fairview Cemetery, Jewett, Ohio. The family asks that donations be made to the MaryBeth Ruthem Scholarship Fund at Jefferson Community College or the American Lung Association, with the request that donations be used toward research for cancer in non-smokers. Condolences may be sent online at www.everhart-bovefuneralhomes.com.

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