Sheila R. Markin

Sheila Ruben Markin died at Tidewell Hospice House in Sarasota, Florida surrounded by her family on January 17th at age 85. Sheila is survived by her husband Lawrence of 63 years; daughters Linda (wife Marie) and Amy, sister Barbara (husband Claude) and grandsons Samuel and Joseph. She is predeceased by her brother Robert Ruben. Sheila was the middle child born to Dr. William S. Ruben and Sara Gitin on July 11, 1932. The family lived on St.Paul St. in Rochester, NY in an apartment adjacent to Dr. Ruben's medical office, and the family spent summers on the shore of Lake Ontario. Sheila graduated from Benjamin Franklin High School in 1950 and Smith College in 1954. Sheila was a Miss Polaroid model before college and worked as a model for McCurdy's and Sibley's Department Stores. She married Larry in June 1954 and they moved from Rochester, NY to Lawton, Oklahoma where Larry served in the army. While there Sheila worked as the Assistant Society Editor for the Lawton Constitution and Morning Press. Sheila loved being a mother to her daughters and had the privilege of staying home with them until the girls went to college. She had a variety of jobs subsequently that were gratifying for the challenges they presented and the contributions she made. She tested safety bottles at BRX Marketing with her brother-in-law, Joel Axelrod. She tutored children in the Rochester City School District. At 50, with no background in public relations she was hired to do that work for the Rochester Eye and Human Parts Bank. When Sheila and Larry moved to Sarasota from Rochester, NY in 1991 she took what she called the "perfect job" as Guardian Ad Litem, protecting the rights and welfare of children for the next fifteen years. Sheila and Larry had a summer cottage on Canandaigua Lake for thirty five years to which they welcomed family and friends where they enjoyed fishing, clambakes, swimming and the beauty of the lake. In addition to her paid work, Sheila volunteered and participated in community life. She was Treasurer and then President of her local Smith Club. She participated in two book clubs, and served on the Board at Villa Palmeras. Sheila was an activist feminist, a philanthropist and a confidant to many friends. She loved gardening, golfing, traveling, photography, weaving, reading and discussing ideas, her friends and entertaining them and her family. The family will have visiting hours at their home in Villa Palmeras on Friday January 19 and Saturday January 20 from 3:00 – 5:00. A Celebration of Life will be planned for a later date. In lieu of flowers please send donations to Planned Parenthood (www.plannedparenthood.org), Smith College (www.smith.edu), or Tidewell Hospice House (www.tidewellhospice.org)

Tributes

Sheila R. Markin

July 11, 1932 - January 17, 2018