Marianne Rutan

Marianne P. Rutan passed away in Ithaca, NY on Monday, June 30, 2025 at the age of 96. She was born on February 4, 1929 in Corning, NY to Joseph and Helen (McAvoy) Palme. She graduated from the College of New Rochelle in 1950 with a degree in Sociology and Psychology. She married Arthur Rutan on September 22, 1951 in Corning, NY. She was a descendent of immigrants from Ireland (1850), Germany (1865), and Austria (1907), who were escaping political instability, famine, economic collapse and sought a better life for their families.
Marianne retired in 1991 after serving more than 20 years as the Steuben County Department of Social Services Supervisor of the Child Protective Services Unit. She was also active in various volunteer activities including, the St. Patricks Church food pantry, the National Warplane Museum, and the Big Flats Historical Society.
After retirement, Marianne and Art made annual trips to Europe where they visited the towns their grandparents emigrated from in Germany and Austria, attended the D-Day anniversary events in Normandy, and made many friends along the way.
Marianne was predeceased in death by her husband Arthur Rutan, parents, Joseph and Helen (McAvoy) Palme, brother John (Jack) Palme, and her daughter Anne Rutan. She is survived by her children Ellen (Mark) Wheeler of Ithaca, NY and Peter Rutan of Elk Grove, CA; grandchildren Mary Katherine (Leith) MacKenzie, Peter M. Wheeler, Caitlin (Russell) Furey and Peter A. Rutan; great grandchildren Norah & Edith MacKenzie, and several nieces and nephews.
The family would like to thank the staff of Brookdale Ithaca, Cayuga Medical Center and Hospicare for
the kind and expert care they provided.
A Mass of Christian burial will be held on Monday, October 20, 2025 at 9:30 am at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 155 State St., Corning, NY, Fr. Matthew Walter officiating. Burial will immediately follow in the family plot at St. Mary's Cemetery, Corning.. Phillips Funeral Home, 17 W. Pulteney St., Corning has been entrusted with the arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the All Saints Parish, 158 State St., Corning, NY 14830.
Service Details
Interment
When
Monday, October 20th, 2025 10:30am
Location
St. Mary's Cemetery
Address
Park Avenue
Corning, New York 14830 To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Marianne Rutan, please visit our Tree Store.