Naomi Ruth ‘Ruthie’ McCollum – Monongahela
Naomi Ruth “Ruthie” McCollum was approaching her 99th birthday on Nov. 30, 2023, with a small celebration but Jesus, her savior and Lord called her home on Nov. 25, 2023, while surrounded by her family and friends. “Ruthie” was the first born of five daughters to Leonard “Lige” Tomlinson and Hazel Ruth Gibson Tomlinson of Victory Hill. Ruthie was a resident of the Victory Hill community her entire life attending Victory Hill School and later Monongahela High School. Her earliest employment was at Tomlinson’s Grocery, a family-owned business. On May 22,1946, she married Judson K. McCollum also from Victory Hill. Jud and Ruthie celebrated 50 years of marriage before his passing in 1996. They had two children. Ruthie spent her life serving others as a wife, mother, daughter, sister and friend. Even in her mid-80s she drove alone to Brandonville, W.Va. to care for her dear friend, Rosie Sines. She also enjoyed cooking, baking and hosting family gatherings. In later years she loved to work puzzles sitting on her back porch and visiting casinos with Chuck and Frances. Ruthie was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; her son, James S. McCollum, in 2022; sisters, Martha Jane (Bruno) Mancinelli, Mary Virginia “Chickie” Tomlinson, Elizabeth (Dessel) Roberts. Surviving Ruthie are her daughter, Ruth Ann Fidanzato; her youngest sister, Muriam Legeza; her three grandchildren, Natalie (Greg) Lee, Nicholas (Olivia) Fidanzato and Matthew Fidanzato; three great-granddaughters, Cassidy, Valerie, Madelyn Lee; and several nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank the third floor staff at the Mon Valley Care Center for their exceptional care of Naomi, Dr. Joseph Michael and staff, OSPTA Hospice Care, Pastor Tom Harding and Marshall Marra Funeral Home. Friends will be received from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2023, at MARSHALL MARRA FUNERAL HOME, 216 Chess St., Monongahela, 724-258-6767. A service will begin at 11:30 a.m. with Pastor Tom Harding. Interment will be private and held in Monongahela Cemetery. Condolences can be made online at marshallmarrafuneralhome.com.
