Ruth I. Morarre

Ruth Irene Morarrer, 93, of Glenn Dale, died Thursday, July 21, 2011, at Northwest Hospital in Randallstown. Born June 4, 1918, in Greene County, Tenn., she was the youngest of nine children of the late William Franklin Swanay and Deluna Frances Brown. Twice married, she was the wife of John Walter Mullican II, whom she married in 1935 and who died in 1966; and of Thomas Morarre, whom she married in 1970, and who died in 1990. She and her first husband eloped to his family home in Glenn Dale and had five children. In addition to raising their children, she also took care of approximately 45 foster children throughout the years. When her own children got older, she worked as a waitress at several of Marriott's Hot Shoppe restaurants. She began her 24-year government career at Glenn Dale Hospital Sanitarium. She also worked at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Walter Reed Naval Center and Harry Diamond Labs. After marrying her second husband and moving to Silver Spring, she rented out the property in Glenn Dale. She lived in Silver Spring until 1989 when she moved back to Glenn Dale, and retired from her government career to care for her ailing husband. In 1976, she became an active member of the Silver Spring Moose Lodge. She enjoyed planning and preparing for the many dining and entertainment events at the lodge and even held the position of president for the Women of the Moose. She also enjoyed her memberships in the Glenn Dale Chapter of the Red Hats and the Glenn Dale Citizen's Association. Throughout the years, she renovated homes in the area, and enjoyed painting and cleaning up the properties to flip for sale. She enjoyed animals and had many pet dogs that she cared for during her retirement years. Surviving are children Peggy Bolender, of Elkton, Patricia Kuhn, of Fayetteville, Ark., Sandra McCarthy, of Woodbine, Suzanne Dowling, of Westminster, and John W. Mullican III, of Frederick; 18 grandchildren; 49 great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by eight of her siblings. The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m. today at Haight Funeral Home & Chapel, 6416 Sykesville Road, Sykesville. A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Friday at the funeral home. Internment will be held at 1 p.m. Friday at Ft. Lincoln Cemetery in Brentwood. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to the American Heart Association, 4217 Park Place Court, Glen Allen, VA 23060. Online condolences may be offered at www.haightfuneralhome.com. Sign this guest book online at www.carrollcountytimes.com.