RuthAnn Lobo Remembered as Protective, Loving Mother and Friend

A Mass of Christian Burial was held on a steamy Friday morning at in Simsbury, for RuthAnn Lobo, 67, who died on Tuesday after an extended battle with cancer.

The church was filled with family, friends, and a healthy dose of former UConn women’s basketball players, staff and coach Geno Auriemma.

In addition, several administrators and staff members of the Granby Public School District — where Lobo served as an educator for several years — also attended the service.

The Rev. William R. Metzler led the service with a mixture of anecdotes and scripture. Metzler mentioned Lobo’s infectious laugh, and the positive impact she had on others. 

Metzler talked about seeking a cure and healing. He said although Lobo did not find a cure for her cancer, she received healing.

There was laughter at times, and there were tears.

A former school counselor at , Lobo was the Title IX compliance coordinator for the Granby Public School District, while also serving on the State Advisory Board for Equity, according to her website.

The Simsbury resident was named the Granby Public School District's Teacher of the Year in 1990, and was also chosen as a finalist for the State of Connecticut Teacher of the Year.

Lobo also received the Maria Miller Stewart Award from the Connecticut Women's Education and Legal Fund for mentoring children and for advocating equality for girls in education.

"I knew RuthAnn for most of her career in the Granby schools," J. Callender Heminway, chairman of the Granby Board of Education said Friday, adding that some of his own children were counseled by Lobo during their time as Granby Public Schools students. "Her presence was a great asset to the schools and the Granby community for many, many years."

Heminway said both Lobo and her husband, Dennis, were educators in the district for more than three decades.

"The Lobos were an integral part of the Granby schools," he said. "And RuthAnn was one of those people who everybody thought was a special friend of theirs."

In addition to her accomplishments in the field of education, after being diagnosed with breast cancer in 1993, Lobo became a well-respected and passionate advocate for cancer awareness and education, as well as the disease's victims, survivors and the fight to find a cure.

In recognition for her cancer work, Lobo was awarded the First Survivor's Award, which was named in her honor, by the Connecticut Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure.

Connecticut Komen for a Cure Executive Director Ann Morris, who attended Friday's service, told Patch afterwards that Lobo's fierce dedication and commitment as an advocate for breast cancer survivors will have a large and lasting legacy throughout the state — and beyond.

"She lent a face and a voice to the public about breast cancer… and she gave so many women hope through sharing her story of her own battle with breast cancer," Morris said.

She added that others often found their own personal well of strength and inspiration through Lobo's example of positivity and perseverance in the face of a deadly disease.

"She was such a beautiful person," Morris said. "She will be missed by so many people."

A friend also spoke at her service. The two met when Lobo was her child’s fourth-grade teacher. She spoke of their long friendship, their shared journey and Lobo’s strength, spirituality and love of her family.

One of Lobo’s three children, Rebecca, also spoke. With a mix of wit and love in a few minutes she painted a picture of a fiercely protective and loving mother who was always there for her family.

Kathy Sutton, assistant principal at Granby Memorial High School, was also at Friday's service. Sutton told Patch that she and Lobo had been personal friends and close colleagues since they met as Granby Memorial Middle School staff members in 1984.

Lobo had a palpable a passion for education and students. And Sutton said although she retired for about a year, the longtime Granby school counselor had found that she had "gone too early."

"She felt restless in retirement and was soon back to work for the district," Sutton said.

After filling a short-term need for a guidance position at the high school, she moved into Central Services. She was appointed to a position to address inclusion and equity in Granby schools.

"She was deeply concerned about the issues of equity that contribute to the achievement gap both in our community and our state and created programs and professional development opportunities to address this important issue," Sutton said.

Sutton also said Lobo's faith, while deeply personal, was evident in all of her life, including her work with students and families.

"She gave heartfelt assurances to grieving youngsters or frightened parents that helped them through difficult times," she said. "Her confidence in her God drew many parents and staff to her when they needed."

Sutton added, however, there is one other important aspect of Lobo's personality that cannot be understated: her keen sense of humor and fair play.

"RuthAnn had a bit of a trickster side to her which would sneak out at just the right time to bring a smile to a troubled middle schooler's face or bring a flood of laughter when this instant stress reliever was called for," Sutton said, adding that Lobo enjoyed playing jokes on fellow staff members and students alike.

"She was well known in the hallways of Granby Middle School as the owner of a rubber chicken and big framed eyeglasses complete with nose and eyebrows," she said. "And if you weren't careful to turn in your paperwork on time to her, RuthAnn just might sing a song to you in front of your entire class. Students and staff adored her."

RuthAnn Lobo is survived by her husband, Dennis; three children Jason, Rachel and Rebecca; and several grandchildren.

Donations may be made to the RuthAnn and Rebecca Lobo Scholarship in Allied Health Sciences and Nursing at the UConn Foundation, 2390 Alumni Drive, Unit 3206, Storrs, CT 06269-3206.

Condolences can be expressed online at www.carmonfuneralhome.com.

The Mass was followed by burial in Granby Cemetery, with arrangements made by Hayes-Huling & Carmon Funeral Home of Granby.