Ruth Markus

MARKUS Ruth Markus, 88, acclaimed artist, mother and wife, passed away peacefully on December 6, 2012 at First Community Village in Columbus, Ohio. Ruth was born in Prague, Czechoslovakia, to Olga Lebenhart, a homemaker, and her husband Jakub, a Supreme Court justice. After the loss of her twin brother and mother during WW II, Ruth settled in Elverum, Norway, as a newlywed. Her longtime dream of living in America was realized when the family soon moved to Cincinnati, Ohio. There, Ruth's artistic talents began to blossom, finding expression in painting portraits and still lives. After a few years, when the family settled in London, Ohio, Ruth began to study the challenging craft of firing enamel onto precious metal. Countless hours in her studio led to a passion and mastery of the form that produced her most notable works. Her naïve, but richly emotive style was applied to colorful portraits, rings, architectural pieces, even miniature interior "environments" that evoked scenes of her bygone childhood. Her engaging, spirited personality only enhanced the irresistible qualities of her artwork. Spanning six decades as an exhibited artist, Ruth's work has appeared in galleries and museums worldwide, and several pieces reside in permanent collections at prestigious museums in New York City and The Columbus Museum of Fine Art. Even now, enamels, jewelry and environments by Ruth Markus are on display at Sherrie Gallerie in Columbus, Ohio. Ruth was preceded in death by her husband Martin Markus M.D. She is survived by sons, Helge, Stanley, and John; grandchildren, Jayme, Charlie, and Victor; and her beloved Yorkshire Terrier, Sophie. A celebration of Ruth's life and work will be held on her birthday, February 21, at Sherrie Gallerie, 694 North High Street, 614-221-8580. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be sent in Ruth's name to The Humane Society of Madison County, PO Box 777, West Jefferson, OH 43162. The family was served by the EBERLE-FISHER FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATORY, 103 N. Main St, London. Online condolences for the family may be sent to www.eberlefisherfuneralhome.com