Vicki Ruffner

Vicki Ruffner, without a doubt, made the world's best fudge.
She may have accomplished countless other things in life, but her grandsons want you to know the quality of her fudge cannot be overstated.
Vicki was born in Tacoma, WA. on September 29th, 1958, to her father Robert E. Hunt Jr. and mother Anne M. Hunt. She was the second in a line of 4 children and the only one with blonde hair. She was a happy and adventurous kid, always excited to tag along with older sister Wendy (Larry) Higley and brothers Jeff (Renee) Hunt and Steve (Lois) Hunt. Her love for the ocean and sea started at an early age growing up on the beaches of Fox Island and carried all through her life.
Vicki attended Peninsula High School (go Seahawks!) where she was a social, well liked and overly talkative teen. (And trust me, when we say overly talkative, we mean it!) We're pretty sure she ate a licorice rope and pop for lunch nearly all 4 years of her time there. It was all about that girlish figure, ya know. She made some dear friends and left lasting impressions on her friends and classmates during that time.
Shortly after graduating Vicki married and had 2 little girls, Jenessa (Michael) Stewart and Kaylee (Scott) Campbell, who would come to think of her as their entire world. Girls trips to Seaside, Oregon to stay in a little place called The Mariner Inn became a several time-a-year occurrence. Those special trips always included music by Peter Cetera, Heart, Wilson Phillips and Amy Grant. She loved a good trip to Seabrook, especially if her room had an ocean view. The beach and those times with her girls have held the most dear place in her heart.
In 1999 she married Patrick Ruffner. They spent countless years vacationing at their time share in Cabo, Mexico, enjoying beach walks, dips in the pool, sun tans and trips to Mario's Restaurant for their famous Bulldog drink. Vicki loved bringing home trinkets from her travels that she filled her house with. They made countless memories and friends on those trips.
Vicki spent her life loving on other people's kids. She started her career in child care as a young girl babysitting, which became her career of in-home child care for over 30 years and ending her career as a para educator with the Peninsula School District helping young kids navigate through school. Her life was dedicated to nurturing and loving so many kids!
Vicki made everyone feel loved and seen. She was always there to listen and support you and tell a funny joke to make you smile. While navigating the last 5 years of her life battling ovarian cancer, she made sure to bring joy to everyone around her. Sometimes that was a t-shirt with an saying and sometimes it was an inflatable costume. You never knew what she'd show up to chemo or school in!
She loved a lot of things and people in her life, but by far her greatest joy was her grandsons, Elijah, Connor and Jake. There was nothing she didn't do for those boys and they loved their "Grammy" and "Ma" beyond words.
We know what you're thinking right now. You're thinking gosh darnit, I wish I would have known her, and you wouldn't be wrong. She was brave and fierce and brought so much joy and light to the world. She will be forever missed.
Take a deep breath, mama. We love you always.