Sondra Rucker
Groton — Sondra Ann Rucker, 78, passed away at home surrounded by family on Tuesday, March 6, 2018, in Groton.
She was one of 10 children, born March 13, 1939, in Orient, Pa., to Chester and Jessie (Wynn) Arrington. After graduating from Redstone High School in Republic, Pa., she relocated to the New London area. Her dearest friend, Patricia Hill, helped her transition to Connecticut and became her support system for over half a century.
Sondra’s thoughtful, caring spirit shined through as a nurse’s assistant for 26 years. She later became a welding instructor at Electric Boat, eventually retiring as their first black female general foreman. She packed a mighty punch and a huge heart into her short stature. No one went hungry or homeless if it was up to Sondra. With food always on the stove, her home and heart were open to us all. No one could resist an extra slice of that perfectly crafted cheesecake; Sondra loved to bake. Her gardens grew like wildfire. She passed her travel bug to her daughter, Karma, and made sure to show her family the importance of worldly experiences even on a modest budget. She was the grandmother that everyone needed.
While Abounding Grace Ministries was her home, she was warmly greeted as Mother Sandy at churches across the community. She loved the Lord. She was never short of recommending the perfect scripture or Shirley Caesar song to help brighten a gray day. Her annual Mother’s Day Luncheon raised funds and awareness for local nonprofits and churches for 20 years.
She was proud of her family’s accomplishments. She radiated each time she mentioned their names. In the last years of her life, she was cared for by her children, Karma and Robin, and her granddaughter, (her “best friend”) Alyssa. Sondra, or “Wiki,” spoke lovingly of her family and memories in Pennsylvania. She spent hours telling her family about all of her siblings, Chester “Chet,” Tim, Celeste “Dutchess,” Keith, Lois, Shirley, Patricia, Floyd “Toke” and Rhonda. Visiting Tower Hill and Poland Mines were important to her. Sondra is survived by three children, Robin Arrington, Terry Lynn Rucker and Karma Smith-Sabino (Pasquale); five grandchildren, Daniel Lyons (Kelli), Kimberly Geer, Michele Scott, Kassondra Parker and Alyssa McClain; and three great-grandsons, Trevor Lyons, Akai Soria and Stone Parker. Her love enveloped many and she became the mother and grandmother to countless more.
Sondra. Wiki. Ms. Sandy. Mother Sandy. Ma. Nan. No matter what term of endearment you called, she always answered.
Sondra will be truly missed. Sondra and the family are indebted to Roz, Tina and Sandy from the Center for Hospice Care for the love and compassion shown every day.
Sondra’s homegoing celebration will be on Wednesday, March 14, at Shiloh Family Life Center (1 Garvin St., New London). Visiting hours will be held from 10 a.m. until the time of service at the church, services will begin at 11 a.m., and interment will follow in Grove Cemetery. Repast will immediately follow at Shiloh.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Sondra Rucker’s honor to the Center for Hospice Care Southeast Connecticut (hospicesect.org, 860-848-5699).
Arrangements are entrusted to the Lester Gee Funeral Home of New London, www. lestergeefh.com.