Barbara M. Ruggeri

A Mass of Christian Burial for Barbara M. Ruggeri, age 92, will be held Wednesday March 27, 2024 at 10:00AM at St. Mary's Cathedral with Rev. John Yonkovig and Rev. Joseph Morgan concelebrating. Mrs. Ruggeri died on Wednesday, March 20, 2024 in Raleigh, North Carolina. Calling hours will be held at Fox & Murray Funeral Home, 528 Franklin Street, on Tuesday March 26, 2024, from 3:00PM until 6:00PM.

She is survived by three daughters Mary (Thomas) Buono of Fredericksburg, VA; Valerie Ruggeri and Catherine Yanello of Raleigh, NC; two sons, Frank Ruggeri III of Telluride, CO; and Andrew (Marji) Ruggeri of Medway, MA. Eight grandchildren, Thomas (Erin) Buono, Emily (Kevin) Rusin, Patrick (Lindsey) Buono, Jessica (Kevin) Wood, Briana Yanello, Anthony, Sophia, and Ella Marie Ruggeri; seven great-grandchildren. Natalie, Madeline, and Reid Rusin, Caroline, Lucy, Cameron Buono and Marra Wood; also several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband Frank; sisters Norma LeClair and Connie Solomon; and one brother Ralph Mitchell Jr.

Barbara Mitchell Ruggeri was born March 5, 1932 at Hepburn Hospital in Ogdensburg, the daughter of Ralph and Agnes Mitchell. She graduated from St. Mary's Academy as salutatorian of the Class of 1949. She was married to Frank Ruggeri Jr. on July 31, 1954 at St. Mary's Cathedral by Rev. Francis White. They celebrated 60 years of marriage on July 31, 2014.

From 1949 to 1955, Mrs. Ruggeri was employed by the New York Telephone Company. In 1961, she was one of the first five lay students admitted to Mater Dei College in Ogdensburg. She earned her BA degree from SUNY Potsdam in 1965 and her MS in Education from SUNY Potsdam in 1971. She was employed as a teacher in the Ogdensburg City School District from 1966 to 1987. After retirement, she worked in the Diocesan Department of Education from 1990 to 1994.

Mrs. Ruggeri was a life long parishioner of St. Mary's Cathedral. Her Catholic faith was firmly rooted in her heart and soul. She was active in multiple ministries over the years including Eucharistic minister, education, RCIA, lector, liturgy, music, and hospitality. She had served as a trustee under the rectorship of Rev. Philip Allen and was one of the Woman of the Year honorees in 2005. She enjoyed cooking, crosswords, the 3 R's (especially writing her annual Christmas letter), knitting, music and laughter, and, in general, the joy of living.

Memorial donations may be made to St. Mary's Cathedral or to the Bishop's Fund. Condolences and fond memories can be shared at www.foxandmurrayfuneralhome.com.