Marcia J. Rubin passed away peacefully in New York City on Feb. 15 at the age of 97.
A graveside funeral service was held on Feb. 19 at Rose Hill Cemetery.
Marcia was born on March 13, 1928, in Kansas City, Missouri, to the Late Harry and Lavetta Rubin. In her 20s, driven by a desire to immerse herself in the epicenter of the art world, she made the bold move to New York City. She was a woman of profound artistic vision, intellectual depth and unwavering spirit. A lifelong student of the human experience, Marcia left behind a legacy etched in canvas, classrooms and the hearts of her devoted family.
In her midlife years, Marcia enrolled at Columbia University’s Teacher’s College, where she earned a master’s degree. Her critiques and essays on notable artists were respected for their nuance, reflecting a woman who did not just look at art, but lived within it.
The Art Students League of New York served as her creative sanctuary. She was a fixture in its studios, finding kinship among fellow dreamers. To Marcia, the League was more than a school; it was a sacred space where the traditions of the masters met the innovations of the modern age. Her eulogy to honor and memorialize Knox Martin described both his profound skill and her adoration for the many years of his mentorship.
Despite her long residence in New York, she remained close to her family. She is survived by her brother, Robert D. Rubin of Leawood, Kansas; her nephew, Gary Rubin (Julie Noren) and their family in London; and her niece, Debra Sadowsky (Marc Hurst) and their family in New York; Santa Cruz, California; and Denver, Colorado. Between her nephew and niece, Marcia was a proud aunt to four great-nieces and nephews and ten great-great-nieces and nephews.
Family, friends and well-wishers are encouraged to share condolences and memories on her tribute page at louismemorialchapel.com.
In honor of Marcia’s lifelong commitment to nurturing the next generation and her compassionate heart, the family requests that, in lieu of flowers, contributions be made to No Kid Hungry. Marcia believed deeply in the potential of every child to create a beautiful life.