Ruth Pierson Marshall

On Tuesday, September 8, 2026, Ruth Laura Pierson Marshall passed away in Hockessin, Delaware, at the age of 95. Born in Hockessin in 1931, she was the daughter of the late Wilson T. Pierson and the late Emma Sharpless Pierson.

Ruth was an alumna of Conrad High School and a 1953 graduate of the University of Delaware.  She spent 31 years in public education, the majority teaching second grade in schools not far from Hockessin.  In the mid-1960’s she combined education with her love of travel and spent three years as an elementary school teacher on American military bases in Metz, France and Stuttgart, Germany.

Her circle of lifelong friends included many from her college and early teaching years. Together they traveled and shopped for the things she loved – clothes, antiques, gifts, kitchen necessities and plants. She shared her love of the beach with friends and family, first in Lewes Beach rentals, then at 302 Cedar, and finally at Port Lewes.

She became a newlywed at age 54, when she and another lifelong friend, Tom Marshall, were married.  The new Mrs. Marshall found, in Auburn Heights, a place to share her love of antiques, of decorating, of cooking and of unparalleled hostessing.  She and Tom traveled, entertained, and lived the real-life fairytale. She embraced the “Steam Team” as it evolved into the Friends of Auburn Heights and found, there, another amazing group of extended family.

With her passing, Ruth’s family has lost the light that has shown brightest and longest.  She loved and was loved by many who will forever cherish her memory and the joy she shared with all those around her.

Ruth is survived by her nieces and nephew Charmayne P. Busker of Harrington, Wayne P. and Patricia Pierson of Clayton, and Joan Pierson of Henrico, VA; great nieces and nephews Gina (Bill) Furia, Philip (Ann) Busker, Stacy (Jason) Blevins, Joel (Courtney) Pierson, Sara (Chris Payson) Busker, and Brooke (Stephen) Mand; and great-great nieces and nephews Karley and Grace Busker, Sophia Rager, Giuliana Furia, Madison and Jake Blevins, Ivan and Finn Pierson, and Emma Mand.

In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her husband, Thomas C. Marshall, Jr., her brothers William S. (Katherine) Pierson and Philip W. (Romaine) Pierson, her niece Nancy L. Pierson and nephews Gerald T. Pierson and Charles L. Busker.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to Friends of Auburn Heights, PO Box 61, Yorklyn, DE 19736.   auburnheights.org/donate/