Patricia Carole Rubino

Mrs. Rubino (née Lovin) was born January 28, 1933, in East Chicago, Indiana, to Robert James and Hildagarde Antoinette (née Chaswood) Lovin. The youngest of eight children, Pat grew up in “The Harbor” and graduated from Washington High School before attending nursing school at Methodist Hospital in Gary, IN. A rewarding 30-year career in nursing followed, with Pat devotedly serving as Head E.R. Nurse at Hammond Clinic.

Though she faithfully dedicated countless hours ministering to her community through nursing, Pat’s greatest joy was tending to her family. In March of 1953, she married her middle school sweetheart, Rolando Rubino. They relocated to Albuquerque, New Mexico for a short time, before eventually settling in Hessville, IN. While Rolando experienced several deployments serving in the United States Air Force, Pat steadily held down the home front, giving birth to three sons and a daughter, and continuing her extensive nursing career. However, despite life’s busyness and challenges, “Pat and Ro,” as they were affectionately known, always made time for fun. Camping and fishing at Little Long Lake and Turkey Run Park were cherished family pastimes, as well as hosting entertaining holiday parties with card games and lots of dancing! Family members were often treated to a special performance of “Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree” or “Rum and Coca-Cola,” sung by the trio of Pat and her sisters, Marian and Lee.

Of course, Pat’s most well-known trait of all was her exceptional cooking ability. To know Pat was to love her… and be fed by her! Countless friends and family members were blessed again and again throughout her ninety years by her beloved recipes – homemade pizza, pasta “fazoo,” pizzelle, and fresh vegetables plucked straight from her expansive garden. And no Christmas season was complete without a batch of her homemade ravioli – prepared from dough rolled out with the extra-long “rolling pin” that Rolando crafted for her from an old broom handle.

Pat and Ro enjoyed 56 wonder-filled years together. They were long-time devoted members of St. Catherine of Siena Parish in Hessville, IN, and after relocating to Wheatfield, IN, celebrated their 50th anniversary at Our Lady of Consolation Church in Merrillville, IN, in a specially dedicated Catholic mass. Upon Rolando’s passing in 2009, Pat ultimately made the decision to relocate to Johns Creek, GA, to be near her daughter, and (in her words) “to escape the harsh Indiana winters.” There, she continued her legacy of cooking and caring for others, traveling and visiting her numerous family members, hosting annual “ravioli days,” and imparting her wisdom and endless positivity to everyone she encountered. She often shared her favorite quote: “I once felt sad because I had no shoes, until I met a man who had no feet.” Pat will be deeply missed. May we all hold tightly to the memories we shared with her and use them to bless those we encounter throughout our own lives, in her honor.

Pat is preceded in death by her husband Rolando, sons Michael and Paul, her parents, and seven siblings. She is survived by her daughter, Cindy Williams of Johns Creek, GA, and son, Russ (Amy) Rubino of Crown Point, IN; grandchildren Jason (Karen) Rubino, Rachel (David) Velasco, Beth Rubino, Kristin (Roger) Story, Taylor Hooper, Angela (Ira) Bragg, Jackie Wrona, Allison Wrona, Vince Rubino, Tony (Tegan) Rubino, and Gina Rubino; 15 great-grandchildren; and many brothers- and sisters-in law, nieces, nephews, and friends.

A celebration of life will be held Saturday, June 3, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at Roswell Funeral Home, 950 Mansell Road, Roswell, GA 30076, followed by a reception with heavy hors d’oeuvres. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Dementia Society of America are welcomed (www.dementiasociety.org). Fond memories and expressions of sympathy for the Rubino family may be shared at www.roswellfuneralhome.com.