Louise Elizabeth “Weezie” Ruggiero (nee Williams), 101, of Pine Bush, passed away on Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021.
Born in West New York, NJ she has been a resident of Pine Bush for the past 46 years. She was an interviewer for the United States Department of Commerce in New York, NY for many years. Afterwards, she was a toll collector in Harriman, NY until she retired.
Beloved wife of the late Vincent J. Ruggiero, loving mother of John L. Ruggiero and Vincent J. Ruggiero (Marisela Sanchez) ; proud grandmother of Michelle Ruggiero-Perrota (Michael Perrota), Crystal Ruggiero-Maynard (Danilo Maynard), Amanda Ruggiero-Ashworth (John Ashworth) and Racquel Ruggiero-Benitez; and adoring great-grandmother of Thomas P. Perrota, Danica Maynard, Chelsea Maynard, Luke Perrota, Olivia Ashworth, Evangeline Perrota and Victoria Ashworth; eldest sister to Ruth Cunningham, Harold “Ed” Williams and Larry Williams. She was predeceased by siblings Leonard Williams, Eva Ferlauto, Marion Weber, Helen Wey, Donald Williams, John Williams, Vernon Williams and Frances Williams. She also leaves behind many nieces and nephews.
Ruggiero was born on Jan. 19, 1920 and was the first born child to Dora and Leo Williams. She served in the U.S. Army during World War II and rose to the rank of sergeant. She was a member of the American Legion Post 1308 in Pine Bush. In her younger days, she was a good fundraiser for Little League, Cub/Boy Scouts and the PTA in North Bergen, NJ. Throughout the years, she spent her free time gardening, making canned goods, baking and knitting. She taught baking skills to many neighboring children in both North Bergen and Pine Bush. The last few years, her favorite pastime was baking cookies with her great grandchildren.
A Funeral Mass was held on Friday, Oct. 8 at the Church of the Infant Saviour in Pine Bush, NY. Interment was at Fairview Cemetery . in Fairview, NJ
In lieu of flowers, donations are requested for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (www.StJude.org) in Memory of Louise Ruggiero.