Barbara Rupple

Barbara Rupple

February 21, 1936 - December 31, 2020

"May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind be always at your back May the sunshine warm your face, the rain fall soft upon your fields.."

Obituary of Barbara Rupple

Barbara Ann Rupple, affectionately known as “Barb”, 84, of Lockport, New York, died Thursday, Dec 31, 2020.  She was born on February 21, 1936, to Josephine and Ralph Newton, in Lockport, New York. She had one sibling, a brother, James (Roberta) Newton.

She married Duane Burdell Rupple in the summer of 1957, and they raised 4 children: Vicki (Pat), Kathy, David (Jen), Kenneth (Angela), and 8 grandchildren: Travis (Amber), Alyssa (Reid), Canon, Kelly, Hannah, Nicholas, Lexie, and Matt, as well as 3 great-grandchildren.

Barbara went to nursing school before marriage. Later, she went on to work at Sherwood –Celpac and then, worked many years at Carborumdum, where she was a keypuncher. She also spent some time working at the Union-Sun and Journal, later on.

Barbara was a beautiful and wonderful mother. Growing up, she took her children to St. John’s Catholic Church on Chestnut St.   She was creative, and she allowed her children the freedom to be creative, as well, especially pertaining to whichever holiday was approaching. She loved the crossword puzzle in the paper, and going for rides in her car, and babysitting the grand -dogs.  Barbara loved the outdoors and enjoyed an active lifestyle bike riding, and walking on the towpath was such a big part of her life, and she had a canoe that she was proud of!  In the winter there was skiing down great grammas’ hill! She loved swimming at her parent’s pool and at her swim club and in Long Lake, in the Adirondack Mountains. She loved to take the rowboat out on the lake, each summer.

She loved writing and reading, and gave her children those wonderful gifts, as well -loving walks to the library and days spent reading on the back porch, or in the back yard, in the house, anywhere-there were always good books and magazines.  Barbara played the piano beautifully and taught her children to play,… sometimes playing it at night when the kids were in bed-and, they all learned to recognize certain pieces of beautiful classical music. She attended all the school concerts with hot fudge Sundays afterward.

Barbara had a beautiful smile, a positive attitude, an upbeat personality, enthusiasm, strength and she was resilient. She had a love of life! She was smart, social, friendly, compassionate, patient, and a good listener. She was fun, funny, and had a great sense of humor.  She liked whimsical things and she could be so herself-dancing, singing, and laughing!

She really loved hard candy, especially root beer barrels –there was hard candy, hard candy wrappers -in pockets, in her car, in bowls in the house, everywhere!

She made so many things special, as she was, and that will stay with us, forever. She loved us and we loved her. She will be so deeply missed!

Private services will be held at the convenience of the family.

19 Comments

  1. Tim. Mulvey on January 8, 2021 at 11:52 pm

    What a beautiful tribute to your mom ! I’m pretty sure she’s riding her bike 🚴 to the pearly gates !!

    • Kennneth E Rupple on January 9, 2021 at 10:04 am

      I bet you’re right!❤

  2. Dick Mullaney on January 9, 2021 at 12:25 am

    Kathy and family, I am sorry to hear of your Mom’s passing. She was a grand lady. I so enjoyed our conversations when we would see each other along the towpath, at he community pool or wherever we would meet. May she Rest in Peace.

    • Ken Rupple on January 9, 2021 at 10:05 am

      ❤❤❤❤❤

  3. Tim Hare on January 9, 2021 at 1:38 am

    A remember Barb as sweet lady and always riding her bike around the neighborhood. I was always welcomed to the her house as a child. She oftentimes babysat me as a child. Vicki and Kiki were like sisters to me and David was like a little brother. Kenny you became my friend at a later age. I send my condolences to you and the family! Got rest Barb…

    • Ken Rupple on January 9, 2021 at 10:06 am

      Thanks, Tim

    • Susan Murphy Schultz on February 10, 2021 at 4:24 pm

      Kathy this is a beautiful tribute to your Mom! She was a very nice lady! I have known her for many years I will miss seeing her!

  4. Melissa Summar on January 9, 2021 at 1:53 am

    My heart goes out to my cousins. Aunt Barbara and Uncle Dewey spent a life time together. If it had to be this way I am glad they can be together. She was always so sweet. Aunt Barbara was a wonderful wife as well as a loving mother. Every time we visited she always had us for dinner. And she never minded how long we stayed. She loved to catch up and was interested in our life’s. After dinner she always went for walks. Aunt Barbara was exercising before it was popular. My Aunt and Uncle would be so proud to have such loving kids. I will be thinking of all of you with Love

    • Ken Edward Rupple on January 9, 2021 at 10:07 am

      ❤❤❤❤Although they don’t want any memorials, we do need to get together.

  5. Marsha K Zimmer on January 9, 2021 at 4:20 am

    Kathy and Family,
    I am so sorry to hear of your Mother’s passing!
    I have fond memories of her at our musicals.
    Marsha

    • Ken Edward Rupple on January 9, 2021 at 10:08 am

      ❤❤❤❤❤

  6. Dan Oates on January 11, 2021 at 8:51 pm

    Dave, Kathy, Vicki and Ken,

    My condolences extend out to you and your families. Your mother was so energetic, delightful and always had a warm hello and smile whenever see saw me in the neighborhood.

    Dan Oates

    • Kennneth E Rupple on January 18, 2021 at 2:55 am

      Thank you, Dan.

    • Dave Rupple on January 26, 2021 at 1:02 am

      Thank you Dan!

  7. Jim kane on January 16, 2021 at 6:12 pm

    Viki Kiki David Kenny please except our deepest sympathy and heartfelt thoughts may I help in someway Friends and neighbors are sharing your sorrow your mom always had a friendly hello for everyone

    • David Rupple on January 26, 2021 at 1:04 am

      Thank you Jim.

  8. Kennneth E Rupple on January 18, 2021 at 2:56 am

    Thank you, Jim.

  9. Kathy on January 18, 2021 at 7:47 pm

    Thank you Dick.

  10. Kathy, Vic, David, Ken on January 18, 2021 at 7:50 pm

    Thank you for all your wonderful condolences and memories of our mom. They are very appreciated.

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