Ever since I first saw this clip a few years ago it's always stayed with me - I think it's a good example of how Mary Fickett played Ruth's sternness yet also laced with emotion, vulnerability.

No offense to Lee Merriweather, but this was the real Ruth Martin. RIP Mary.

I think most AMC fans agree--Lee has done a good job, overall, but she's never been, and never will be, Ruth. I wonder if Ray will release a statement.

Ever since I first saw this clip a few years ago it's always stayed with me - I think it's a good example of how Mary Fickett played Ruth's sternness yet also laced with emotion, vulnerability.

Ruth, Mona, Phoebe, Myrtle.

So much amazing talent.

She's been sick for many years, so I am sure it was a blessing, but its still so sad. She left AMC shortly after I really started getting into it. Lee never was able to adequately fill the shoes (although she did her best). Another piece of this show's history is gone

Edited September 13, 201114 yr by Adam

Ruth, Mona, Phoebe, Myrtle.

So much amazing talent.

Really tugs at your heart, that funeral seems like yesterday.

Carl, I agree, that is a great clip of MF.

My grandpa could not stand Ruth, she like made his teeth itch, I don't know what it was. When the hurricane hit their house and she let out that blood curdling scream, he went, "Oh shhhhit ..."

It's so strange when you consider that Mary Fickett and Carol Burnett were about the same age that we just had Carol back on still working her magic and now we get this news.

Ray MacDonnell is like two or three months older than MF was, and as he know, he's still in chipper shape...at least that's what it seems like.

Wha-wha-wha, Curl Bernette in her eighties??

LOL Carol's 78. Mary was (and Ray is) 83.

Wha-wha-wha, Curl Bernette in her eighties??

She's 78. Sorry I aged her a bit.

Wow, even 78 is more than I'd guessed, I figured early seventies. I know she's had some work done, but...

When Susan Lucci is 80 years old, I just don't know what I'm gonna do with myself.

Cady McClain (Dixie, AMC) shared her thoughts on the passing of her one-time Pine Valley mother-in-law, Mary Fickett (ex-Ruth) in an e-mail to Digest. "What can I say?" McClain wrote. "She was wonderful. Feisty, funny, ballsy, brave. I feel so lucky I was able to work with her. She used to give me crap for taking myself so seriously but then she would insist on absolute preparedness and professionalism on set. One of a kind. I have missed her and sadly, will continue to. She gave me something to aim for, and I hope I have made her proud."

http://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/cady-mcclain-pays-tribute-mary-fickett

ABC's official statement is surprisingly half-decent:

"We at ABC were very saddened to learn about the passing of one of "All My Children's" original cast members, Mary Fickett, who portrayed beloved nurse Ruth Brent Martin from 1970-1995 and again from 1998-2000. As we honor AMC's 41 years on ABC, we cannot help but recognize and remember Mary's wonderful depiction of Pine Valley's revered Ruth. Ruth's marriage to chief of staff Dr. Joe Martin provided the bedrock upon which the town of Pine Valley was built. Their marriage was always a stabilizing force that represented "home" for many. In memoriam, the network will dedicate the September 21 episode to Mary, which specifically focuses on the Martins. We extend our deepest sympathy and thoughts to Mary's family and longtime fans."

Who the [!@#$%^&*] wrote that? Surely not Brian Frons. Itr's a nice tribute actually--it sounds like the 21 episode was already set to focus on the Martins before this death, so it's a nice connection. I had also forgotten than she returned to the role, in a limited capacity, until the 30th anniversary in 2000 and then Lee came back.