Maryon W. Ruchelman

Maryon grew up in the small town of Kingsville, Texas - the only Jewish family (parents Joe and Dora Waldman and younger sister Selma).  Her father owned the Guarantee Shoe store in town where she often worked after school.  She escaped in books (her first love of Shakespeare) and movies and achieved the highest rankings in school.

From the emerging war in Europe to being stifled in a small southern town she dreamed of the world of literature and drama.  She had many friends and an active social life.  She went by train to New York as a young woman and got involved in theater while working secretarial jobs. She was a hostess at the famed NY Stage Door Canteen and worked with the Theater Guild teaching drama and counseling.

After marrying and moving back to Kingsville to be near her parents for several years, the family moved to Houston. She delayed completing college to work while her husband finished medical school. Once he was established in his medical career she acquired her Bachelor of Arts in Biology, Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and Master of Science in Chemistry, all summa cum laude.  Maryon then completed work on her doctor’s degree in Physical Organic Chemistry at the University of Houston. She produced 26 publications in the area of endocrinology, breast cancer, gas chromatography and solubility studies of hormone steroids and 2 patents in gas chromatography. During this time she also worked at MD Anderson Hospital and Tumor Institute where she headed the endocrine laboratory, served as an assistant professor teaching graduate students and did basic chemistry research while raising 4 kids. In 1970 she got her diploma in Computer Programming and in 1973 moved to Ohio, switching careers to computers. She served as a senior system analyst for Standard Oil Company for several years before moving to St. Louis and McDonnell Douglas Corp where she worked on databases.  The move to IT brought Maryon back to Texas and more experience in artificial intelligence work at Texas Instruments (assigned to the HARM program) in Lewisville. 

Maryon was a member of the Electrochemical Society, Iota Sigma Pi (Women in Chemistry), Sima Xi (Research) and Alpha Chi (Scholarship), American Men of Science, Mensa , Who’s Who of American Women and various Professional Societies.

In retirement Maryon did volunteer work at the VA Hospital (helping research and develop a computer system that is designed to assist doctors diagnose and treat hepatitis) & the Jewish Historical Society as well as serving on numerous boards. She enjoyed literature, piano, travel, Hadassah and the arts.  She excelled in every aspect of her life. She was dedicated to environmental protection and the preservation of the rights of nature and mankind.

She leaves behind daughter Susie Greenfield Wizig (Terry Wizig), sons Philip Evans (Sue Evans) and David Ruchelman, grandchildren Lisa Greenfield Ostrin (Edwin Ostrin), Max Greenfield, Jason Evans and Sidney Ruchelman and great grandchildren Ronnie, Ben , Lila and Noe Ostrin.