Patricia Ruppert Flanders died surrounded by the love of her children, on Nov. 23, after a courageous battle with ovarian cancer.

Pat was born Oct. 15, 1930 in Baltimore, Md., to Charles and Thelma Ruppert, who treasured her every moment of their lives. She attended the National Cathedral School and Sweet Briar College, where she made friendships that endured over 60 years. She met and then married the Rev. David Marston Flanders and began a lifelong journey of faith, strength, courage, determination and love.

Her life’s work was as a rector’s wife and mother, making a home for her four children in Medford, Franklin, South Weymouth and Medfield, but she also worked for the Medfield Public Schools, Charles River Hospital, Shriner’s Burn Hospital, and later in the Vermont Shop on Martha’s Vineyard.

After her husband died in 1995, Pat moved to Martha’s Vineyard and made a rich and rewarding life for herself. She became active in St. Andrew’s Church, serving on the Vestry, the Women’s Guild, and most recently on the search committee for a new rector. She involved herself in the Edgartown Council on Aging and the Women’s Club. She loved the ocean, and in particular State Beach in Edgartown, her gardens, her friends, playing mah jong with her ladies, and reading. Pat loved to travel, and always took pictures of the people and animals she met along the way. She loved dogs, and walked the Vineyard beaches with her much-loved Gretchen.

But most of all, she loved her children and her grandchildren. Pat could frequently be seen at the hockey rink, the soccer fields, the softball and baseball fields, or the Edgartown, Oak Bluffs and Martha’s Vineyard Public Charter schools cheering loudly for one grandchild or another. Grammie loved to read to them, have tea parties, walk on the beach searching for treasures, snuggle up, and just listen. She taught us all to live a life of strength through faith, hope and love by her example.

Pat will be remembered forever by her four children, Cynthia Ann Flanders of Edgartown, Christopher Clough Flanders of Hickory, N.C., Joshua Marston Flanders of Oak Bluffs, and Amy Flanders Sullivan of Edgartown. She will also be in the hearts of her 11 grandchildren, Cana and Michael Courtney, Jenelle, Danny and Kelly Flanders, Joshua and David Flanders, Christian and Hannah Flanders, and Lila and Shay Sullivan. Pat is also survived by her loving niece, Sarah Flanders Franklin of Bloomington, Ind., and her two sons, Stephen and Michael Franklin.

Pat’s family invites you to join them as they celebrate her life. Visiting hours will be Friday, Nov. 26, from 6 to 8 p.m. at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church on the corner of North Summer and Winter streets in Edgartown. Her funeral will be held Saturday, Nov. 27, at 1 p.m. at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church with interment immediately following at Oak Grove Cemetery in Vineyard Haven.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Patricia Flanders Fund for Youth Ministry at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church. Arrangements are under the care of the Chapman, Cole and Gleason Funeral Home, Oak Bluffs. Please visit ccgfuneralhome.com For online guest book and information.