Patricia Ann Rucker

Patty was born in Caldwell, Idaho to parents C. Lee Rose and Norma Rose (Pritchard). Her sister and brother followed in quick succession with Mary in 1947 and Mike in 1948. Growing up in Idaho, Patty spent time with her family camping, fishing, and enjoying the Cascade Mountains.

When she was 20, Patty moved with her family from Boise, ID to Greeley, CO, where she met her husband James Rucker. Patty was serving as Clerk of the Court under The Honorable Donald Carpenter in the Weld County Court, and Jim was a frequent presence in Judge Carpenter's court, as a prominent Defense Attorney. Judge Carpenter made the match, and Jim & Patty we're married by him, in his courtroom, on March 9, 1968. Patty gave birth to their daughters Lisa and Heather on May 19, 1969 and October 21, 1974 respectively.

Shortly after Heather's birth, Jim accepted a position as Administrative Law Judge with the Federal Government; Social Security Disability Administration, and the family relocated to Sacramento, California. Patty, Jim and the girls flourished in Sacramento, as she worked for multiple attorneys as a Paralegal, was very active in the Genevieve Didion Elementary School PTO, and enjoyed a close circle of friends.

In early 1983, Jim accepted and transfer and promotion that brought the family back to Colorado, and the family settled in Centennial. Patty continued her work as a Paralegal and kept her family and friends happy and full with the fruits of her lifelong love of cooking. Between 1987 and 1989, Patty, Jim and Heather temporarily moved to McLean, VA, while Jim served as the interim Deputy Director of the Social Security Administration. As soon as the interim assignment ended, the family was right back to Centennial. Following stints at CoBank and Coopers & Lybrand, Patty retired and began her second career in real estate. The following years brought graduations, Heather's wedding, grandkids, and Patty's sister Mary and her family moving to Denver. Patty and Mary continued their friendship, love, and support of each other until Mary's death from cancer in 2015.

For the past several years Patty cared for Jim, who passed away in June of 2017 following an extended illness. Most recently Patty struggled with COPD and the early stages of dementia. Through all of it, she remained the always present caregiver and steadfast supporter of her children and grandchildren.

Patty is survived by her daughters, Lisa and Heather; grandchildren, Molly, Will, Tessa and Henry; son-in-law, Ben; brother, Mike; and many nieces & nephews.

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