Celeste Andrea (Boucher) Ruggiero

Celeste A. Ruggiero (nee Boucher), 80, peacefully passed away embraced in love on May 1, 2026. Celeste was born in Salem, the daughter of Raymond and Bernadette (Jalbert) Boucher. A lifelong resident of the North Shore, she grew up in the Castle Hill neighborhood of Salem, where she attended Ste. Anne’s Elementary School followed by St. Joseph’s High School, Class of 1962.

Celeste was the beloved wife of Michael Ruggiero, with whom she shared 55 wonderful years of marriage. They met in 1969 and were married in 1970 at Ste. Anne’s in Salem. Celeste and Mike spent their early years of marriage in East Boston and Lynn before choosing to move to Swampscott to raise their sons, Michael R. Ruggiero and Kenneth A. Ruggiero. Celeste was a proud and devoted mother who was always supportive and encouraging of her sons’ ambitions. It was during these formative years with her young family that Celeste attended North Shore Community College where she proudly earned her Associate Degree, a clear testament to her perseverance and dedication to her family’s future. During these years she also enriched her life by making cherished lifelong friends, discovered her talent for sewing, and became well known among loved ones as an exceptional cook and baker. She was someone who always looked out for her family and friends, offered untiring support, thoughtful gestures, and unwavering care to those she loved.

Celeste’s second career was as a dedicated data coder at Copyright Clearance Center in Danvers for 15 years where she was known for her strong work ethic and kind spirit. During this time, she was also able to embrace her deep love for travel and found joy exploring various destinations such as Canada, Aruba, Hawaii, Alaska, Disney World, Texas, California, Arizona, and Niagara Falls.

For the last thirty years Celeste has resided in Lynn where she flourished in her most cherished role in life, being a grandmother to her five grandchildren.

Celeste is survived and loved by her devoted husband, Michael. She is lovingly remembered by her children, Michael and his wife Maureen (Carroll) of Downingtown, Pennsylvania, and Ken and his wife Eileen (Carroll) of Chatham, New Jersey. She is the beloved grandmother of Caitlyn, Christopher, Elise, Kylie, and David.

In addition, Celeste leaves behind her loving sister-in-law JoAnn (Ruggiero) Peroni and her husband John, as well as many cherished nieces, nephews, and cousins who will deeply miss her warmth, kindness, humor, and joy.

Above all, Celeste will leave a legacy for her love of family, her gentle nature, and the countless ways she cared for those around her. Her presence will be profoundly missed, but her spirit will live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved her.

Visiting hours will be held on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, from 4–7 PM in the Cuffe-McGinn Funeral Home 157 Maple Street, Lynn. Her Funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, May 14, 2026, at 9:00 AM in Holy Family Church, 21 Bessom Street, Lynn. Committal Service will be private. Those who wish may make donations to the American Diabetes Assn., P. O. Box 7023, Merrifield, VA 22116-7023 or [email protected].