Svetlana Nikolaevna Brubaker

     Svetlana Nikolaevna Brubaker, age 90, passed away on September 6, 2024 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin surrounded by her loving family. Svetlana was a longtime resident of Monterey, California, where her family settled after emigrating to the United States. 

     Svetlana was born in Belgrade, Yugoslavia to Russian parents who had settled there after fighting and fleeing the Bolsheviks in Russia’s Civil War. As a child, she and her family endured great adversity when the second World War tore through Europe and the Nazis invaded Yugoslavia. Her family survived those turbulent years and they were fortunate to emigrate to the United States in 1949. They settled in Monterey. 

     Svetlana was 15 years old when she arrived and spoke very little English. However, she learned quickly and embraced her new country, becoming a U.S. citizen in 1956. She married Earl Brubaker in 1955, and traveled with him to Germany where Earl served in the U.S. Army. Their son Andrew was born while they were in Germany. When they returned to the U.S., Svetlana and Earl pursued their educations. Svetlana was gifted in the study of Languages and was fluent in Russian, German, and English. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Maryland, Summa Cum Laude, and later pursued graduate studies at the University of Wisconsin. Earl earned his PhD in Economics at the University of Washington, and their daughter Kathleen was born while they lived in Seattle. Earl accepted a Professorship at the University of Wisconsin in 1966, and the family moved to Madison where they raised their children.

     Earl and Svetlana moved back to Monterey in 1980 where Svetlana worked as a Russian Language Teacher at the Defense Language Institute for many years, while Earl taught at the Naval Postgraduate School. At DLI, Svetlana was following in her mother's footsteps - Mrs. Lydia Punkt taught at DLI beginning in 1952 and remained there until her retirement in 1976. 

     Svetlana always remained deeply committed to her Russian roots. She and Earl were fortunate to travel widely throughout their lives, including many trips to the Soviet Union, where they indulged Svetlana’s interest in Russian culture and Earl’s academic pursuits related to the Soviet economic system. Svetlana was also very involved in the Russian community in Monterey and spent countless hours caring for those in the community that needed help of any kind. She was a member of St. Seraphim's Russian Orthodox Church in Seaside, California. Perhaps because of her own extraordinary life, Svetlana was fascinated by the stories of others. When meeting a new person in virtually any setting, Svetlana would always take time to get to know them and discover essential details that revealed common interests. Her inquisitiveness and genuine interest in learning about others was unmatched. 

     Svetlana and her family were the embodiment of the American dream. Her childhood years were marked by constant upheaval and the trauma of living in a war zone. Her family arrived in America seeking only freedom and to live in peace. She met Earl, the love of her life, and together they prospered. She was a devoted daughter and sister, a loving wife and mother, a doting grandmother, an outstanding teacher, and a wonderful friend. She left a legacy that benefited all whose lives she touched, and her memory will live on in the hearts of the many who loved her. 

     Svetlana was preceded in death by her husband Earl Brubaker, her parents Lydia and Nikolai Punkt, and her dear sister Lydia Aybar. She is survived by her children Andrew Brubaker and Kathleen (Daniel) Miller, as well as her grandchildren Michael and Laura Miller. 

A Funeral Service will be held on Monday, September 30, 2024 at the Monterey City Cemetery (798 Fremont St. Monterey, CA 93940) beginning at 12:00PM. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Seraphim's Church (P.O. Box 1003, Seaside, CA 93955).