Ruth M. Lapan

1931 - 2024

Ruth Margaret Lapan passed away on February 16, 2024 at the age of 92, 19 years and 1 day after her husband Richard's passing. She'd lived in Brattleboro since 1956.

Born June 1, 1931 to Raymond and Catherine (McGarr) Noonan, Ruth grew up on the Bostwick Farm on Lake Champlain. A self-identified "tomboy," she played basketball and softball while taking an interest in the farming operation her father oversaw.

She graduated from Shelburne High School in 1949 as valedictorian and class president, with a scholarship to UVM and a DAR Good Citizenship Medal. After 3 years at UVM, where she was on both the basketball and debate teams, she briefly joined a convent in Ireland to explore a larger commitment to her Catholic faith.

When reflecting on this experience Ruth acknowledged heartbreak upon being dismissed by the Mother Superior and also certainty that the woman had ultimately been correct about a different life being meant for her. After returning from Ireland, Ruth graduated from Trinity College with a Bachelor's Degree in Science before enrolling in medical school at UVM. During this time she was introduced to, in her words, "a nice young man from Brattleboro" by her sister Rae Catherine and Rae's co-conspirator & eventual husband Leo Stack.

Whilst in medical school she became engaged to Richard E. Lapan after he walked across several fields to find her fixing a tractor in the pouring rain. Ruth appreciated his lack of surprise or complaint when she promptly went back under the machine as a reflection of their quiet understanding of one other. They were married at St. Catherine's in Shelburne on October 8th 1955 before making their marital home in Brattleboro. Their quiet understanding fortified 49 years of marriage until his passing on February 15th, 2005.

Ruth went on to earn her Master's Degree in Education from Keene State College in 1977 and a second Master's Degree in Physical Science from Worcester Polytechnic Institute in 1982. Her fascination with math & science and voracious appetite for learning were lifelong, hallmark traits.

She worked most of her career as an educator teaching at Chester High School, Southern Vermont College, Rivier College, Hinsdale High School, and Whitingham High School. Brilliant at differentiating instruction, she tutored many nursing students at her dining room table on Grove St. Her efforts were memorable and deeply appreciated by these nurses as essential to their careers. Additionally, Ruth assisted her husband with the daily operation of Lapan's Cash Market on Main Street in Brattleboro.

A loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister and aunt, Ruth's family was very important to her. She also served folks in need, donating considerable time to a crisis hotline. She was quietly invested in the communities in which she dwelled and the people she loved. She was masterful at comfortable silence as well as an excellent storyteller.

Ruth was a lifelong devout Catholic and longtime communicant of St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church. She was also an ardent Red Sox fan.

Survivors include her children, Patrick Lapan (Roben) of Brattleboro, Richard Lapan (Dru) of South Barre, James Lapan (Alyson) of Burien, WA, Mary Worsman (Ken) of West Brattleboro, and Bridget Devlin (Dylan) of Putney, one brother, John Noonan (Brenda) of Shelburne, two sisters, Sheila Fanelli of Madison, CT and Sharon (George) Sinnott of Lake Orion, MI.

She also leaves ten grandchildren, Grace Freeman (Gavin), Maggie Fleming (Dan), Harrison Lapan, Addison Worsman, Richard Worsman (Eliza), Devon Lapan, Kaitlyn Odell (Ross), Connor Lapan, Martin Lapan and Siobhan Devlin. Her legacy includes great-grandchildren Lucia Freeman, William Odell and Lillian Worsman.

In addition to her beloved husband Richard, Ruth was predeceased by one son, Raymond Lapan, and sisters Nancy Rice, Ellen Young and Rae Catherine Stack.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated February 23rd at 11 a.m. at St. Michael's Catholic Church. Committal Rites and burial will follow in St. Michael's Parish Cemetery.

Friends are invited to call at the Atamaniuk Funeral Home on February 22nd from 4:00-6:00 p.m.

Memorial contributions in Ruth's name may be made to St Brigid's Kitchen.

To share a memory or offer condolences to the family, please visit www.atamaniuk.com.