Ruth Esther Markey

Ruth Esther Markey embraced life. She closed her eyes with family in her heart and at her side at the age of 102 and went home to God on Monday, July 13, 2026.

Ruth was born to Dr. and Mrs. Edward J. Carlin of Rahway, NJ. She was to be the eldest of their four children with three brothers. Her father had served as a young Navy doctor while caring for returning WW I Spanish flu patients. After completing his military service, Dr. Carlin set up his medical practice in Rahway to raise his young family. Having lost his beloved wife, Esther Record Carlin, to pneumonia shortly after the birth of their fourth child, Dr. Carlin later fought for accessibility to Streptomycin for the greater public and was recognized nationally for his work.

With the loss of her mother before the age of nine, Ruth devoted time to her three brothers, academics, public speaking including civic affairs, and her Roman Catholic faith. Her interests expanded as a voracious reader and orator which led her to be awarded an American Legion Freedom recognition and a scholarship to the College of Saint Elizabeth in Convent Station, NJ. Her summer jobs during WW II included work in a munitions factory. The academic and leadership prowess which she displayed throughout her college years led to graduation with honors and a summer graduate program at Columbia University.

Upon graduation from the College of Saint Elizabeth, Ruth taught high school for one year. It was during this period that she met her knight in shining armor, Major Edward W. Markey. He had recently returned from WW II U.S. Army service as a tank commander with General George Patton in the 3rd Army 4th Armored Division. He fought in the Battle of the Bulge to relieve Bastogne Christmas 1944 with then Lt. Col. Creighton Abrams, later General Creighton Abrams, USA, for whom the Abrams Tank is named. Major Markey, a young WW II hero, met Ruth at church through the introduction of their parents, Dr. Edward J. Carlin, the town doctor and mayor, his wife, Edna, and John L. Markey, the town councilman and his indomitable wife, Marguerite.

Ed quickly recognized that Ruth was the beautiful, brilliant, kind, compassionate, caring and multi-talented woman with whom he wished to build his life. Family lore has it that on their first date dancing in New York City, he suggested their future together. They were married less than one year later and began their life adventure together.

Ruth’s life was the embodiment of all wives of career military officers, who had served in WW II and married just after the war, and as young women were then thrust into the turmoil of supporting their husbands and raising young children as the first U.S. families in occupied Europe in the American Zones. There were yearly moves in Germany and multiple moves in the U.S. with assignments and foreign deployments, when Ruth would assume broader responsibilities for the family. It is forever true that the entire family serves the Nation with the active military service member.

Ruth and Ed were the loving parents of five children. As a mother she taught her children life’s most important lessons: to love God, to have faith in God’s promises, to honor God through kindness and deeds and to help others be it family, neighbor or country. Ultimately, Ruth taught family and friends to believe in themselves.

As a widow after the death of her husband, Colonel Edward W. Markey, Ruth drove forward to carve out leadership and volunteer roles, not only with various entities at Saint Anthony of Padua Church and School including the Women’s Guild, Senior Programs, and School Scholarships, but also through her participation in the College of Saint Elizabeth Washington, DC Alumnae Association, her Alma Mater, and active political engagement.

Ruth also cared for each of her six grandchildren at one time or another, recognizing the importance of helping her working adult children while giving her special love to her treasured grandchildren. In later years, FaceTime allowed her to visually share precious moments with her family and her one great grandchild, Nora, who greeted her with a happy smile and a hello, “Grandma (or Gigi) Roof.”

With health challenges in the last few years of her life, Ruth was fortunate to have the devoted support of all her family, especially her grandson, Michael. She was appreciative of his loving care. He was always able to make her laugh. Ruth’s team of caregivers supported her walking the neighborhood, sharing funny stories, and accommodating her changing needs with kindness.

Over the decades Ruth received valued spiritual support from and developed lifelong friendships with the pastors, priests and lay ministry of Saint Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, all stalwart visitors in her later years, along with family and friends. Ruth treasured Sundays when she was able to participate in online Mass.

Ruth was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Colonel Edward W. Markey, USA (Ret.), their son, Edward W. Markey, Jr. and their daughter, Barbara Ruth Markey Silver, her parents, brothers and extended family.

Ruth is survived by her daughters, Kathleen Markey Colyer (John), Patricia Markey (David), and Marguerite Nealon (Bill); daughter-in-law, Mary Beth Markey; son-in-law, Jonathan Silver, and grandchildren, Courtney Markey, Liliana Markey, Garrett Nealon (Victoria), Michael Silver, Matthew Silver, Robert Silver; step-grandson, Bruce Caviness (Christine); nephews, Robert B. Markey, Robert Carlin; great granddaughter, Nora Nealon and other nieces and nephews.

Ruth will be buried alongside her husband and our father, Colonel Edward W. Markey, a career U.S. Army decorated veteran of World War II with two combat tours in Vietnam, during which time he was wounded, decorated and awarded the Purple Heart. After his military retirement he continued his career of service at the U.S. Department of State.

Ruth’s life will be celebrated with a Mass of Christian Burial on Tuesday, October 27, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Falls Church, VA, followed by interment at Arlington National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers the Markey family asks that donations be made to either: “Saint Anthony of Padua Catholic Church” for the benefit of “The Spirit of Saint Anthony Scholarships”, 3305 Glen Carolyn Road, Falls Church, VA 22041. Or to “Capital Caring Health” for “In-Home Hospice Care”, 3180 Fairview Park Drive, Suite 500, Falls Church, VA 22042.

Ruth has gone home to see the Light of God. May she rest in eternal peace.