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A Legacy of Service: Co-Founder Marvyn Glover Ruppert Passes the Torch

Less than a week ago, Marvyn Glover Ruppert left this earth leaving not only loved ones but her legacy to serve.

As co-founder to Gamma Sigma Sigma, a national service sorority, Ruppert helped begin one of the first sororities open to women of all races and creeds during the civil rights era. Before 1950, when many organizations were still divided, she strived for unity in service developed through an organization which would make a difference in many lives.

The National Board of Directors for Gamma Sigma Sigma takes this time to recognize Marvyn Glover Ruppert as not only a founder, but a true model of the spirit of the organization she helped begin in 1952. Members reflect on Ruppert’s “unwavering love” and “special enthusiasm.”

“Marvyn has always been an angel, and now she has been given her wings,” former GSS National President, Lynne Mowers, said.

Member Darlene Solberg said, “There will never be another person such as Marvyn. She was truly one of the "Belles of Georgia" who was always young at heart and an inspiration to all of us in Gamma Sigma Sigma, either to a college undergrad sister or to those of us who were alums. Her love of life and love of the sorority were inspirational.”

Ruppert made a profound impact on the organization, which over the course of 55 years, has started 150 chapters in 33 of the United States. Surely, Ruppert never expected the work her, fellow founder Barbara Ferraro, and other members did to create a national service sorority, would lead to a diverse group of individuals who provide more than 100,000 service hours a year.

Marvyn Glover Ruppert indeed left her legacy.

And on this Sunday, as many attend Ruppert’s Memorial Service at Skyland Methodist Church, she continues to touch others as family members ask that in lieu of purchasing flowers, please send all contributions to the American Cancer Society.

Aurelia Spaulding
National Marketing Director
September 21, 2007

Here is a link to Marvyn's online obituary, posted in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

The Memory Board
Memories and Tributes to Marvyn - collected from friends and acquaintances

(Send your contributions to webmaster@gammasigmasigma.org)

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Marvyn Bennett - maiden name
Marvyn Glover - 40 year marriage to Tom Glover, who died
Marvyn Gahn - Married to man who had fatal heart attack 10 days after marriage
Marvyn Ruppert - super happy with husband Bill

Do not forget the award in Marvyn's name.

Marvyn was one of my dearest friends. We started Gamma Sigma Sigma Service Sorority together and we were active in it together for over 50 years. We also both belonged to Theta Sigma Upsilon and did things together in that social sorority.

Her college boyfriend and my college boyfriend belonged to the same service fraternity and the same social fraternity so together we attended all their dances, canoe trips, and other activities.
GSS Founders - Marvyn is 3rd row, far left

In fact, I met Marvyn in her senior year in high school when our dates knew each other. They arranged a foursome. And we both showed up in the same coats - Maroon and Grey with a fur collar.

It was Marvyn's encouragement that made me start Gamma Sigma Sigma. She did most of the "behind the scenes" work while I was National President for three years.

Zeta Chapter at Drexel founded by Marvyn and Barbara National Gamma Sigma Sigma founded by Marvyn and Barbara
Philadelphia Area Alumnae Chapter of Gamma Sig founded by Marvyn, Barbara, and Peg Zimmerman (We got encouragement from Peg Zimmerman who was getting her CPA at the time we were forming Zeta and National).

Marvyn and I kept up our friendship despite the mileage between us in the last 20 years - through visits to each other, phone calls, e-mails, letters, and meeting at National activities.

Marvyn belonged first to PAC and then to the Atlanta Alum Chapter and when that disbanded she came back to PAC. As a volunteer for the Red Cross after 9/11 she was in NYC and came down here then too,

I will miss Marvyn.

Barbara VanSciver Ferraro

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Enjoy these visual memories