Dr. Lynn Gableman Rupp, a beloved educator, wife, mother and grandmother, passed away peacefully and surrounded by family on January 12, 2023, in Thomas, West Virginia.
Lynn was born September 25, 1948, in Washington, D.C. to George and Jean Gableman. She grew up in Alexandria, Virginia and served as the editor of her high school newspaper. She graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University in 1970 and later obtained an MS and Ed.D from Syracuse University. Teaching was her passion and she spent fifty years as an educator in four states (Pennsylvania, Ohio, New York, and West Virginia) working with students from all walks of life and grade levels. She spent almost thirty years as an Associate Professor of Education at West Virginia Wesleyan College (WVWC) in Buckhannon, WV. In addition to teaching, she also served as a Department Chair and later Director of the Master’s in Education Program and received the college’s exemplary teaching award in 2004.
She leaves behind a loving husband of 53 years, Dr. Robert O. Rupp (also an OWU graduate and WVWC professor); three children: Abigail Benjamin (Jon Benjamin), Emily Rupp (Michael Capobianco) and Thaddeus Rupp (Jenna Rupp); and eight grandchildren: Reeds, Alex, Maria, Theresa, Abigail, John, Luke and William.
In addition to her family and students, Lynn was passionate about serving her community. She served as Christian Education Director at First United Methodist Church in Buckhannon, was a long-time member of the Upshur County Arts Alliance and volunteered at the Upshur County Public Library. She also traveled the globe—leading family trips to Ghana, Senegal, England, Scotland, Ireland, and Vietnam. In 2021, Lynn and Rob moved to Thomas, WV where Lynn joined the Courtland Acres Book Club.
The family invites you to celebrate Lynn’s life at the Poling-St. Clair Funeral Home in Buckhannon, WV on Monday, January 16, 2023 (visitation at 2 p.m. and service at 3 p.m.). Immediately following the service, friends and colleagues are invited to join Lynn’s family for a light reception at the WVWC Virginia Thomas Law Center for the Performing Arts. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly encourages donations to the Upshur Parish House.
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