Maria Rucker

Maria Fatima Anacleto-Rucker, age 81, of Phoenix, Oregon died November 12, 2024 at Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center.

 Maria was born January 16, 1943 in Ribeira Seca, Island of San Jorge, Azores. In 1959 she immigrated with her family from the Azores to the California Central Valley. On November 7, 1964 in San Jose, California she married Ronald Alan Rucker. They lived in the San Jose area until relocating to Carson City, Nevada. She started volunteering with Head Start in Yerington, Nevada in 1973 and from 1974 to 1978 she worked for Head Start as a cook and nutritionist. After the family moved to Medford, Oregon, she worked as a cook at local restaurants. Later she was employed with Southern Oregon Head Start as a teacher’s assistant and cook during the 1980s until her retirement in the late 2000s. She also worked part-time at the Rogue Valley Manor in Medford as a server.

 Maria was instrumental in establishing Head Start into the Yerington, Nevada community. While there she served as treasurer and along with her husband donated the money needed to build a fence around their first playground. Before the school had a bus, she picked up students in her station wagon to get them to school. Over the years, Maria also sewed cloth bags and donated many items to local women’s shelter in Medford; donated food and blankets to local animal shelters; and adopted many dogs from the shelters as well. She also donated to her grandchildren’s schools.

 Her many hobbies included thrifting at garage sales and flea markets; working in her yard; camping at the beach; going to the casino; crocheting; sewing; time on her tablet; and watching Judge Judy (who she loved and respected, Family Feud and murder mystery shows. She loved feeding friends and family and attending her grandchildren’s sporting events.

 Maria is survived by her children Dave (Danielle) of Medford, Anna (Cliff) of Seattle, Allan (Julie) of Gold Hill, and Scott (Sherie) of Grants Pass; her siblings Cidalia Parrett of Merced, California, Nazario of Hilmar, California, Celso of Denair, California, Cassia of Merced, California, Flavio of Hilmar, California; grandchildren Jamie of Seattle, Jessica of Seattle, Cory of Colorado, Ashley of Portland, Erin of Las Vegas, Caleb of Grants Pass, Joe of California and Kylie of Grants Pass; and great-grandchildren Raleigh, Nolan, Blake all of Seattle and Zyanna of Gold Hill.

 Maria was preceded in death by her husband Ronald Alan Rucker; two brothers Vasco and John; and her parents Angelina Santos Anacleto and Joᾶo Maria Anacleto.

 Those wishing may may memorial contributions to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, PO Box 50, Memphis, TN 38101-9929 or online at stjude.org or by phone at 1.800.822.6344. Maria contributed regularly and held the belief that St. Jude’s saved children’s lives and helped many families. It broke her heart that kids got cancer, especially babies. Maria also donated regularly to veterans’ organizations.

 A funeral mass will be at 11:00 a.m., November 22, 2024 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Interment will be at 2:00 p.m., November 22, 2024 at Memory Gardens Memorial Park.