Kathleen Ann “Kathy” Ruppenstein passed away on Sunday, July 8 at 11:11 p.m. at Good Samaritan Medical Center in West Palm Beach after a short but courageous fight against lung cancer. She was 50 years old.
Ruppenstein was born June 18, 1962 in Queens, N.Y., to the late James and Rita Gilmartin. She graduated from Franklin K. Lane High School in 1980. She married Robert Ruppenstein on June 20, 1986. They had three children together. The family moved to Loxahatchee in December 1999. Kathy worked in banking for more than 25 years, most recently at Gulfstream Business Bank in Jupiter.
Aside from her career, Ruppenstein was also highly involved with Girl Scouts and was a devoted band mom for the Seminole Ridge High School Mighty Hawk marching band. She also volunteered for the Seminole Ridge High School football team.
Ruppenstein was never afraid to speak her mind and was someone many people went to for advice. She was loved by nearly every person she ever came in contact with. The nurses at the hospital said they have never seen so many visitors for one patient.
Ruppenstein is survived by her husband, Robert; children Melissa, Meagan and Robbie; her son-in-law, Nick; sister, Tina; brothers Dennis, Jimmy and Tommy; and many nieces and nephews and other loving family members. She is also survived by her friends who were so supportive through this whole journey.
A mass was held Thursday, July 12 at 3 p.m. at Our Lady Queen of the Apostles Catholic Church in Royal Palm Beach.
In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations to the Robert Frederick Ruppenstein College Fund. It was Ruppenstein’s dream to have all of her children be college graduates. Donations can be sent to: Gulfstream Business Bank, 250 S. Central Blvd., Jupiter, FL 33458.
