Pamela Vernon

Pamela Rutkus Vernon, age 60, of Lambertville, NJ, died Thursday, April 16, 2015 at Hunterdon Medical Center in Raritan Township, NJ. Born May 8, 1954 in Rochester, NY, Pamela was the daughter of the late John Rutkus and Jane Goldsworthy Rutkus. She graduated from Penfield High School in New York, then attended Colby-Sawyer College (NH) before graduating with a dual Bachelors degree in Education and Special Education from Kent State University (OH). Pamela had the gift for teaching - most recently she worked at Progressive Center for Independent Living in Hamilton, NJ, where she helped so many people with disabilities transition to independence. She was a lover of fine arts; writing, painting, music, dance, and cooking a gourmet meal were among her favorite pastimes. Pam liked to travel, especially to her favorite place on earth, Keuka Lake, NY. Most of all, she loved her family and friends who would describe Pamela as a "giver," one who always thought of others and was selfless in her many ways. Pamela was predeceased by her father, John Rutkus, and is survived by her mother, Jane Rutkus of Needham, MA, her sister and brother-in-law, Kimberlee and Barry Evans of Needham, MA, her brother and sister-in-law, Todd and Tana Rutkus of Forest Lakes, MN, her niece, Molly Evans, her nephew, Taylor Rutkus, her niece, Kathryn Evans, her nephew, John Evans, many relatives and friends, and her partner of fifteen years, John Brambley of Lambertville, NJ. A private memorial service is being planned at a later date. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Holcombe-Fisher Funeral Home, 147 Main Street, Flemington, NJ 08822. Please visit www.holcombefisher.com for further information or to leave an online condolence. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Pamela's name may be made to ASPCA at the following web address: http://www.aspca.org/donate.