Vida Ruppe

Vida Beard Ruppe, of Wilmington and Dorset VT; born in 1930 in Boston MA, the daughter of David Fleming Beard and Margaret Cook Beard; died January 9, 2018 in Wilmington after a long illness. She lived in the New York City area and went to the Edgemont School in Scarsdale until 1944 when her family moved to Louisville KY. She graduated from the Louisville Collegiate School in 1948 and from Bennett Junior College in 1950. Vida worked as a photographer for an advertising artist before marrying Ernest F. Ruppe in 1952. During his career with the DuPont company they lived in Wilmington four times; Fair Haven NJ; Fairfield CT; Parkersburg WV; Victoria TX and Geneva, Switzerland.

She was an active parishioner of Christ Church Christiana Hundred for many years, serving on the Altar Guild, the Vestry, and the Green Show, and was president of the Women of Christ Church. She was a member of the Junior League of Wilmington, The National Society of The Colonial Dames in the State of Delaware, a former member of the Junior Board of the Delaware Hospital and of the Delaware Curative Workshop, and a Lady of Dumbarton. She was a member of the Wilmington Country Club, The Dorset Field Club and the Ekwanok Country Club.

Vida formed a nurturing home for her family in every one of the diverse communities to which they were sent, devoted herself to service there, and from even temporary stays reaped permanent friendships. She relished travel, and could recall every meal she and Ernie ever enjoyed as they explored the world together. And she loved planning those trips and family vacations almost as much as taking them. Her grandchildren adored their “Grammy,” and Vida cherished each of them. And whoever coined “it’s a dog’s life,” never met Vida; she treasured her terriers and Corgis.

Possessing a reflexive friendliness, Vida loved and was loved by her friends, especially her long-standing bridge club and circle of chums from her teenage years in Louisville. She was an accomplished cook, expert needlewoman, peerless navigator, devout believer, exuberant grandmother, lavish mother, and precious wife.

She is survived by her husband Ernest of 65 years; daughter Helen Ruppe Stevenson and her husband Frank, of Dallas TX; son David F. B. Ruppe of Mosier OR; five grandchildren: Caroline Stevenson Brownworth, Louise Stevenson, John Stevenson, William Ruppe and Frances Ruppe; great-granddaughter Rowan Brownworth; brother William Robinson Cook Beard and his wife Barbara of Louisville KY; niece Breckinridge Beard Peabody.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Christ Church Christiana Hundred on Saturday, January 13 at 11 AM, with a reception to follow at the church. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the endowment at Christ Church Christiana Hundred, PO Box 3910, Greenville DE 19807 or to The Louisville Collegiate School, 2427 Glenmary Ave., Louisville KY 40204.