In Loving Memory of Stella “Mickey” Rupert

Stella “Mickey” Rupert passed away Thursday, December 10, 2020, at Raton Nursing Home and Rehab with her son by her side, three weeks before her 96th birthday, a victim of the COVID pandemic. She was born December 30, 1924, in Montoursville, PA, the youngest of the family of cabinet maker Russel Clees and Lucetta Eck. She was close to her brother John who she said stated to his mother in no uncertain terms he wanted a younger sister. She always said she wished she was born two days later so she would be a year younger. In 1943 she married Bill Rupert Sr. and after the war, they moved to upstate New York for work eventually owning a farm north of Binghamton. When their oldest son went to college Stella went to work at a nursing home which piqued her interest in medicine. After her son graduated she went to school herself and became a nurse, working med-surg. At that time the state was involved in a scandal over their abusive treatment of the mentally handicapped and was forced to revamp the whole system. A new facility was built in Binghamton, the Broome Developmental Center, based on a whole new concept for treating these people, and Stella was one of the first nurses hired. She finished her nursing career there working mostly with developmentally disabled children. Children, actually anybody in need, was her main concern, They took in foster children, the newborn daughter of an unwed college student until she could graduate, and people fleeing Europe during the Hungarian revolution, helping them get a solid start in America. She also helped support several children in Central America through an international charity organization. With all this, she was a prolific cook, knitter, crotchetier, crafter, and had a special weakness for stray animals even getting to where she could hand feed the wild animals around her home.

In 1968 Bill Sr. got sick and they had to sell the farm, shortly after their interests turned to grandchildren. Though they were far away they were constantly making things for the kids and making up stories about the items they made. On visits to NY when the grandkids were with them it was like nothing else existed but the kids, with projects galore. They visited Raton several times and fell in love with the area and met many local people until she lost Bill Sr. On a 1996 visit, she was able to be in the delivery room to see the birth of her great-granddaughter Jenesee. In 2007 she moved to Raton to be closer to family, the grandchildren, and now the great-grandchildren, with more enthusiasm than ever.

She is preceded in death by her parents, husband Bill Sr., her oldest brother Robert Eck, sister Sarabelle Liddic and brother John Clees. She is survived by her son Fred (Dorene) Rupert of Chenango Forks, NY, son Bill Jr. of Raton. Granddaughters, Jennifer Rupert (roommate Monica) of Pueblo, CO, Stacey Varner (Andy) of Lubbock, TX, and their mother Mary Grace( Sebastiani), Great Grandchildren are Gabe Flores, Phyllis Manzanaras and Ryanna Spillman of Pueblo, CO, Adopted Great Grandchildren are Gabe Flores, Phyllis Manzanaras and Ryanna Spillman of Pueblo, CO. and numerous nieces and nephews. She also has a very special friend in Fr. John Brasher who, among other things, would discuss with her at length about history, old times and with lots of laughter.

Cremation has taken place. Depending on the pandemic restrictions, at a later date, there will be a blessing of the ashes with Fr. Brasher for the immediate family. Inurnment will be much later in Montoursville, PA.

If anyone wishes they can make donations in her name to the Raton Humane Society in which she was a member.

Arrangements for Stella “Mickey” are under the direction of the Yaksich-Long Funeral Home of Raton.