Vicki Grubic Riordan

Vicki Grubic Riordan, 78, of Mechanicsburg, passed away on Friday, September 6, 2024 at UPMC Harrisburg Hospital. Born in Steelton, she was the daughter of the late Victor T. and Charlotte R. (Brubacher) Grubic.

Rhythm and Dance was a driving force for much of Vicki’s life and was her passion. She graduated from Steelton-Highspire High School and opened Vicki’s Studio of Rhythm in 1964 at the age of 17, where she focused on teaching hundreds of children tap, jazz, ballet, acrobatics and baton. Later in life she went back to teaching dance in 1986, but this time it was solely geared for adults. Leading classes in several rec centers throughout central PA, Vicki taught tens of thousands of adults Dances of the 50’s & 60’s, Country Line, and Tap Dancing, – all while proudly working for AFSCME Council 13. 

Once Vicki retired from AFSCME, she opened Vicki’s Tap Pups Studio & Cultural Center in Lemoyne PA in 2008. Her tap program grew to become the world’s largest adult tap studio and Vicki and her dancers garnered global notoriety with appearances on the TODAY Show and CBS Sunday Morning and performed as opening acts for Joan Rivers, Chubby Checker, and Patti LaBelle. In 2012 Atria Books published her memoir, Encore Performance, How One Woman’s Passion Helped a Town Tap into Happiness.

Vicki also created the Central PA Chapter of the Executive Women’s Golf Association, which became the national association’s largest chapter.

Vicki was known for her dynamic personality, her perseverance, and excitement for life. Her energy was contagious.

Vicki is survived by her two loving sons Michael J. Riordan and Brian S. Riordan; and her granddaughters Olivia Riordan Tobitsch and Savanah Riordan Quay. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her stepfather, James M. Gustin.

A Visitation will take place on Saturday, September 21, 2024 from 1:00 PM-3:00 PM at Wiedeman Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 357 S Harrisburg Street, Oberlin, PA 17113. A Celebration of Vicki's life will immediately follow at 3:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to The YWCA of Greater Harrisburg’s Domestic Violence Shelter at www.ywcahbg.org or 1101  S Market Street, Harrisburg, PA 17103.