VILLA MARIA, PA - Sister Marilyn Ruflin, H.M., formerly Sr. Mary Esther, 76, died April 1 at Villa Maria Community Center, Villa Maria, PA.

Born in Canton, and raised in Louisville, she graduated in 1957 from Central Catholic High School and entered the Sisters of the Humility of Mary Congregation from St. Louis Parish, Louisville.

Sr. Marilyn's many talents, especially her love of art and her deep prayerfulness, enriched her ministries as a teacher, diocesan office director, liturgical consultant and in HM Congregational leadership.  She was an active member of the Liturgical Commission of the Diocese of Youngstown serving from 1977-2002 and again from 2009 - 2011.  She served from 1985-92 as director of the Office of Worship and from 1985-89 was coordinator of the diocese's RCIA program. She provided for the spiritual environment at the former Humility of Mary Health Partners (now Mercy Health) facilities in Youngstown and Boardman, including design and arrangements of the chapel at St. Elizabeth Boardman Hospital which opened in 2007.  Prior to her illness in 2011 she was coordinator of liturgy at St. Edward Parish, Youngstown.  She served her religious congregation as coordinator of comprehensive pastoral planning and was elected to congregational leadership for two terms.  In 2012 Sr. Marilyn returned to Villa Maria Community Center, Villa Maria, PA where she served in the ministry of faith-filled presence until her death.

The daughter of the late Marvin and Loretta (nee Dwyer) Ruflin and sister of the late Ronald Ruflin, she is survived by her brother, Richard Ruflin of Louisville and her sister Betty Cook, Collingswood, New Jersey, her nieces and a nephew and their families, and her sisters in the Humility of Mary Congregation with whom she shared her life for 58 years.

Funeral Thursday, April 7 at 10:00 AM at Villa Maria Chapel, Villa Maria PA.  Friends may call at Villa Maria Chapel Wednesday, April 6, 3:30 –4:00 and 6 – 8 PM and Thursday, April 7, 9 – 9:30 AM. Prayer service at 7:00 PM Wednesday, April 6.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of the Humility of Mary, Development Office, PO Box 534, Villa Maria PA 16155.  See www.humilityofmary.org   Arrangements by McCauley Funeral Home

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