Patricia Brenda Rubacka

Patricia Brenda Rubacka

Northfield, VT - Patricia Brenda Rubacka passed away peacefully on Friday, February 13, 2026, at Mayo Healthcare in Northfield, Vermont. She was just shy of her 92nd birthday.

Pat was born on March 15, 1934 in Guildford, Surrey, England to her parents, James and Louisa Parker. She attended school in Guildford and, at the age of 17, boarded the Queen Mary on a journey to America, arriving at Ellis Island. While working at the Hartness House in Springfield, Vermont she met and was smitten with a young cook, Richard, who was working there during his senior year of high school. After a brief engagement, Pat and Richard were married on May 23, 1953, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Springfield. Pat became a naturalized citizen of the United States of America on July 15, 1957. Richard's culinary career took them to Texas and Cape Cod before they settled in Hanover, NH with his position as Executive Chef at Dartmouth College. Pat's cheerful disposition and British accent lent itself well to her decades long career as a waitress before retiring from managing the children's department at Rich's department store in Lebanon, NH.

Pat was known to all as a loving, kind, spunky woman who overcame much adversity in her lifetime, always choosing to look on the bright side. Nana, as her grandchildren and great grandchildren affectionately called her, loved to have a house filled with family. Each grandchild, and great grandchild, held a special place in her heart, loving each one unconditionally and always tucking homemade banana bread and cookies into their hand when they headed back home. She loved to quilt, mend and sew; the pediatric patients at Dartmouth Hospital received many of her handmade stuffed animals. An avid reader, Pat spent many hours at the Etna Library helping with fundraisers and visiting the librarians on an almost weekly basis. She also enjoyed being an active member and volunteer of Sacred Heart Parish in Lebanon, including helping with Martha's Mission.

Pat and Richard were blessed to celebrate their 70th anniversary together in 2023.

Pat is survived by her daughter, Patricia, and her son Paul (Kristen); grandchildren Ryan (Betsy), Kyle (Beth) and Parker (Angel), James, Jennifer, Ember and Jack; great grandchildren Warren, Lawrence, Aurora and just born on February 5, 2026 Willow Patricia; sisters-in-law Mary Moody and Beverly Bishop, brother-in-law Tom Parent, extended family Bryan and Tami, and numerous nieces and nephews on both sides of the pond. She is preceded in death by her husband Richard in 2023 and brothers and sisters in England: Jim, Henry, Mayla, Jean, Ken, and Don.

Pat will be buried at Pine Knolls Cemetery in Hanover, NH beside Richard in a private ceremony at a later date.

The family wishes to thank the staff of Mayo Healthcare in Northfield, VT and the staff at Central Vermont Home Health and Hospice (CVHHH) for their compassionate and loving care for Pat during her final days.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to either Mayo Healthcare or CVHHH. Given her kind heart and soul, we know she would certainly appreciate any random act of kindness - as it was how she lived her life.

Cards for the family can be sent to Patricia Tedesco, PO Box 164, Waterbury, VT 05676. An online guest book is available to leave a message of condolence for Pat's family by visiting www.rickerfuneralhome.com.