Marilyn Rubino Ochs

An educator, a beloved wife, parent and grandparent, Marilyn was known for her astonishing energy and generosity, her huge personality, and her love of laughter and family.

Marilyn Joyce Rubino was born October 5, 1943, in Buffalo, New York, to the late Paschal and Margaret Rubino. After receiving her undergraduate degree in education from Daemen University in Buffalo, Marilyn followed the advice of her father, then president of the Buffalo Public School Board, and obtained a Master’s Degree in Education at UCLA.

Upon her marriage to Laurance Ochs in 1968, the couple moved to Washington, D.C. where Laurance completed his law school education and began his career as an attorney. Together they raised two sons, Justin and Brennan.

Marilyn became a school teacher in the Montgomery County Public School district specializing in gifted and talented education. She was a founder of the Maryland State Gifted and Talented Conference that has been used as a model for school districts around the country.

During her decades as a teacher, Marilyn was known for her fierce advocacy for the children she taught, her infectious teaching style, and for her generosity. Always enjoying helping others, she continued to substitute teach for many years after her retirement from full-time teaching.

She loved her country and contributed to many patriotic causes for veterans and service members.

A passion of Marilyn’s was her daily walk for decades on her beloved Capital Crescent Trail. Through rain, snow and ice she could always be seen on the trail. The many friends that she made there will continue to walk in her memory.

Above all else, Marilyn loved her time with her family especially with her four grandchildren: Emily, Amanda, Peyton and Henry. She was a loving, frequent presence in the lives of Emily and Amanda, who lived in the neighborhood with their mother, Darcy and their late father, Justin. Marilyn’s visits to California to spend time with Peyton and Henry and their parents Brennan and Natalie were also times of great joy and fun.

In addition to her loving husband, Laurance, Marilyn is survived by her son Brennan Ochs and his wife Natalie of San Diego, their children Peyton and Henry; her daughter-in-law Darcy VanKirk Ochs, granddaughters Emily and Amanda of Bethesda; her siblings Joseph Rubino and wife Debra; sister Suzanne and her husband Herb; nephew Joseph, his wife Stephanie, and niece Meredith. She was preceded in death by her loving son, Justin.

Marilyn was truly one of a kind who drew people to her with her exuberance and remarkable love of life. Her irrepressible spirit will live on through so many who loved her.

Services and interment are private.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to https://www.operationhelpahero.org/ in her name.