In Memory of Marjorie Rose Collis Ruhm Cahill

Obituary

Marjorie Rose Collis Ruhm Cahill, a lifelong resident of Utica, 101 years young, passed away peacefully at home with her children at her side on Sunday, September 8, 2024.

Marjorie Rose was born at home on June 21, 1923, the third youngest of ten children to Leon J. and Ella Bevans Collis. She grew up during the Great Depression and was a member of the Greatest Generation in American history. As a 1942 graduate of Saint Francis de Sales High School she studied Latin and had the lead role in the class production of China Blue Eyes. During WWII she worked at Savage Arms and later retired from Monarch Chemicals. She married George Bernard Ruhm Jr. at Saint Agnes Church on June 16, 1945, and happily married for 41 years. She married Deputy Police Chief (Ret) Edward “Bud” Cahill on December 30, 1988, and happily married for 17 years. She met companion Edward Masel at the New Hartford Senior Center and their loving relationship blossomed while enjoying evenings dancing under the stars.

Marjorie was a woman of great faith and believed in the power of prayer. She dedicated many novenas at Our Lady of Lourdes Church to the sick and needy. She handknit hats for homeless veterans and newborn babies at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital. Throughout her life she enjoyed athletics, physical fitness, fresh air, reading, music, and flower gardening. Marjorie, Eleanor Dougherty and Barbara Hevers were the first to liberate the Men’s Only bar at the Uptown Grille. Summers were spent in Old Forge, East Caroga Lake and Sylvan Beach. She cruised across Lake Ontario twice on voyages up to the Saint Lawrence Seaway and the 1000 Islands. Traveled to Hawaii and visited The Arizona Memorial, swam in Kailua Bay and Waikiki Beach. Marjorie, aka Mama Gucci, saw her favorite Willie Nelson perform live with The Dead and Moe at Vernon Downs on June 29, 2003. Marjorie has made an anatomical gift of her body to Upstate Medical University for the benefit of research and science. One of her most recent favorite expressions was, “What next?”

She is survived by her loving children, Karen Ruhm Dillon of New Hartford, Kurt and Rhonda Ruhm of Apalachin, Jill and William Broderick of Chestertown. Adoring Meme to grandchildren, John Jeffrey Dillon, Rebecca Ruhm, Margo and Andrew Crist, Matthew Ruhm, Carter Ruhm, Aidan Ruhm, and Alana Ruhm. Great-grandson, 11-week-old, Callan Broderick Crist. Daughter-in-law, Rachelle Ruhm. Her 96-year-old baby brother, Richard Byrd Collis (Audrey); and many cherished nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her husband, George B. Ruhm Jr. Second husband, Edward Cahill. Son, Dr. Christopher Ruhm. Siblings, Rear Admiral (Ret) J. Leon Collis (Dottie), Ramsey Collis (Eva), Wilbur Collis, Sister Mary Leon Collis, CSJ., Genevieve Patricia McGinty (Robert), Helen Luke (Harry), Sister Jeanne Anne Collis, CSJ., Dorothy Lawless (Clifford). Sister-in-law, Bette Ruhm Hill (Robert).

The family would like to express our love and gratitude for the dedication and kindness to her home health aides.

A Mass will be celebrated at Mother of Our Savior Parish, Our Lady of the Lourdes Campus, 2222 Genesee Street on Thursday, September 26, 2024, at 11AM. Arrangements are with Friedel, Williams & Edmunds Funeral and Cremation Services, 13 Oxford Rd., New Hartford.  Interment will be at the Bath National Cemetery at the convenience of the family.

In lieu of flowers, to honor of Marjorie’s concern for those less fortunate, contributions can be made to the Abraham House of Utica, CNY Veterans Outreach Center or the Rescue Mission of Utica.

For online expressions of sympathy go to fwefh.com.