DUDLEY – Denyse E. “Denny” (Puliafico) Ruggeri, 65, of Ramshorn Road, died Sunday, May 8, 2011 surrounded by her family in Overlook Masonic Health Care, Charlton, after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.
She leaves her husband of 43 years, Edward J. Ruggeri; a son, Mark J. Ruggeri and his wife Leslee M. Ruggeri of Woodstock, CT; a daughter, Heidi D. Ruggeri of Webster; 2 granddaughters, Mariangela J. and Mia G. Ruggeri; her mother, Jacqueline D. (Leboeuf) Puliafico of Webster; a brother, Mark C. Puliafico and his wife Kathleen of East Woodstock, CT; her mother-in-law, Theresa M. (Renzoni) Ruggeri of Webster; an aunt, Rose Stewart of Worcester; 2 uncles, Salvatore Puliafico of Buffalo, NY and Rocco Locantore of Harwich; and 4 nieces, Angela Biondi, Maura Drake, Lindsay Puliafico and Alicia Puliafico. She was preceded in death by a daughter, Rebecca D. Ruggeri in 1979 and by her father, Charles R. Puliafico in 2008.
She was born in Worcester and lived in Webster and Dudley all her life. She graduated from Bartlett High School in 1963 and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics and Physics from Elmira (NY) College in 1967. She was awarded a Masters Degree in Computer Science from Lesley College in Cambridge. She was currently a member of the Board of Trustees of Elmira College and an active member of its Aumni Association Board of Trustees.
Mrs. Ruggeri was a mathematics teacher at Bartlett High School in Webster from 1967 to 2005. She also taught physics for a short time. She was the head of the Math Department for 35 years. She founded and coached the Math Team. She also co-chaired the committee for the schools’ accreditation by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges. In addition, she went to evaluate other schools for the Association. After she retired, she volunteered to teach math at Saint Joseph Elementary School in Webster until last spring. She was a retired member of the Webster Teachers Association, the MTA and the NEA. She was honored as teacher of the year by the Quo Vadis Club. The BHS yearbook, the Chronicle, was dedicated to her several years ago.
She was an active member of Saint Anthony of Padua Church. Along with her husband, she co-chaired the Bishop’s Fund Drive, now Partners in Charity, for 2 years. She taught Christian Doctrine at the church for several years. Most recently, she was a member of the pastoral council for the clustering of parishes in this area.
She was a member and leader of the Worcester Chapter of Compassionate Friends. She helped found and was active in the Compassionate Friends of Southern Worcester County and Northeast Connecticut for many years.
She sang soprano in the Bartlett High School Alumni Choir. From its formation, she was the secretary of the building committee for the Pearle L. Crawford Memorial Library, which was dedicated and opened in July, 2010. She was a member and past treasurer of the Hubbard Regional Hospital Guild as well as a corporator of Hubbard Regional Hospital.
She enjoyed exercising, yoga and baking with her granddaughters. She was a caretaker for several relatives and friends over the years. She attended most of her children’s and granddaughters’ activities, especially after she retired. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and daughter.
The funeral will be held Thursday, May 12, from Scanlon Funeral Service, 38 East Main Street, Webster, with a concelebrated Mass at 10:00 AM in Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, 16 East Main Street, Webster. Burial will be in Saint Anthony’s Cemetery, Webster. Calling hours will be from 2:00 to 4:00 and from 5:30 to 8:00 PM Wednesday, May 11, at the funeral home. The family asks that, instead of flowers, donations be made to either Elmira College, Office of Development and Alumni Relations, attn. Peggy Arsenen, 1 Park Place, Elmira, NY 14901-9968, or to the UMass Memorial Development Office, Pancreatic Cancer Alliance, attn. Nannette Duquette, 333 South Street, Shrewsbury, MA 01545.