Brenda Ellen Rubera

Brenda Ellen (Long) Rubera, 84, of North Springfield, Vermont, passed away peacefully on August 28, 2026, surrounded by her loving family.

Brenda was born on July 10, 1942, in Springfield, VT, the daughter of William Ronald and Rena (Cate) Long. She graduated from Windsor High School in 1960. She was married to Dennis Connor of Springfield for 18 years and together they had six children. In 1986, she married Salvatore (Sam) Rubera and they remained married until his death in 1989.

Brenda was a skilled seamstress and an excellent cook and baker, and many of her occupations throughout the years reflected those talents. During the 1960s, she worked as a seamstress at Pandora Industries in Manchester and was occasionally featured in promotional advertisements modeling the company's sweater designs. In the 1970s, she worked at H.W. Carter & Sons in Lebanon. She later owned and operated two restaurants, the Tumble-In Diner in Claremont and Doodles Diner in Grantham. She also worked for a number of years as a cook at Jack's Diner in Chester, where her homemade soups and other culinary specialties were well known and loved. Friends and family frequently sought her guidance when planning meals for weddings, parties, and funerals. It was often said that Brenda could cook a meal for 200 people just as easily as she could for two.

Her hobbies included many forms of needlework, including sewing, knitting, crocheting, and quilting. She often created beautiful clothing for family and friends and enjoyed teaching these skills to her children, grandchildren, and others. Many family members and friends were the grateful recipients of her handmade afghans, blankets, and other treasured gifts.

Brenda had a deep love for Jehovah God, Jesus Christ and the Bible. She was baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses in 1956. She devoted many hours each month to a volunteer ministry work, sharing the Bible's message of hope with others.

Brenda was predeceased by her parents and a daughter, Mary Louise, aged 3 months.

She is survived by her brother, Douglas (Kristine) Long of Lonedell, Missouri; her children, William (Angela) Connor of Oxford, Georgia; Shelly (Dave) Nickerson of North Springfield; Elizabeth Connor of North Springfield; Jon (Robbi) Connor of Auburn, Georgia; and Marlana (Kevin) Hooker of Ascutney; her grandchildren, Alana Connor, Kevin Hooker, Ava Connor, Lyla Connor, and Micah Connor; her step-grandchildren, Andrew Nickerson, Austin Hooker, Shawna Pierce, and Samantha Stoddard; and her step-great-grandchildren, Ellie, Callum, Collin, and Sophia.

A Memorial service will be held on Sunday, November 1, 2026, at 2:00 PM. at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, 211 River Road, Claremont, NH. Family and friends are warmly invited to attend. A zoom link will be available upon request from the family.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the worldwide work of Jehovah’s Witnesses at JW.ORG (http://www.donate.jw.org/).

Assisting the family with arrangements is the Cremation Society of NH, Brattleboro. To view Brenda's Online Tribute, send condolences to the family, or for more information, visit www.csnh.com.