SALLY ANN (JAMES) RUBLEE

VERGENNES — In the early evening of June 1, 2026, Sally Ann (James) Rublee, at the age of 75, was called home to be with the Lord. She passed away peacefully at her residence in the Vergennes Grand Memory Care, Vergennes, Vt., from sudden complications of longstanding Alzheimer’s Dementia.

Sally was born Sept. 27, 1950, in Underhill, Vt. Her parents, the late Frank James, Sr. and Agatha (Cartinelli) James moved the family to Bristol, Vt., in 1965, after 15 years in Middletown, Conn., to start “Frank and Aggie’s Laundromat” business on Main Street. It is still in operation today under a new name and ownership. Sally worked part time in the family business as needed.

Sally graduated from Bristol High School in the class of 1969 and pursued a career path as a nurse’s aide, working first at the Brandon Training School and later at Porter Nursing Home in Middlebury, Vt. She then branched into hospitality, working at the Basin Harbour Club, in Vergennes, Vt.

In 1995, at age 45, Sally moved, continuing to work in the hospitality industry, to the Boca Grande Resort, in Boca Grande, Fla. Sally fell in love with Florida and bought a property in Bradenton and enjoyed it until moving back to Vermont at age 72 in 2024 to be near her family that she loved dearly. They meant the world to her.

Sally was a sweet gal, with a great smile, an easy laugh, a quick wit, and a great sense of humor. She loved rock ‘n’ roll and country music, music potlucks at Fay and Dud Leavitt’s home, and live Starkstock events at Horace’s back in the day.

Down to earth and a very caring person, Sally made friends easily wherever she was. She lived at Pleasant Hills apartments in Bristol for a year, where Nana and Joanie were her best buds. In March 2025 Sally moved into the Vergennes Grand, where once again she was quickly known for her sense of humor, always cracking jokes, and taking everything in stride. All of the staff were wonderful to her and we are very grateful.

Sally had no natural children, but she considered her little pup Tucker and Momma Cat her family. Tucker who passed in Fla. will be interned with her. Momma Cat, which Sally loved for over ten years, was graciously adopted by her friend, Joanie, so Sally could move into the Grande knowing Momma Cat was in good hands.

Besides her parents passings, Sally was pre-deceased by her older brother, Frank James Jr., and she is survived by her brothers Robert James and Gary James (wife Barb), two nieces, five nephews, seven great-nieces, nine great-nephews, two great-great-nieces, and one great-great-nephew.

A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 27, at Mt. St. Josephs Cemetery in Bristol. A time to enjoy great food, sharing stories and laughter, as was Sally’s wish, will start at noon at the First Baptist Church of Bristol’s Fellowship Hall.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Homeward Bound, Addison County’s Humane Society, 236 Boardman St., Middlebury, VT 05753, www.homewardboundanimals.org.

“I see one set of footprints — Jesus carried me — and I’m free!”◊