Mary Lou Rutty

Mary Lou Rutty of Old Saybrook, born May 4, 1920, passed away from complications due to stroke, on May 21, 2012, to be in heaven with her mother and sisters. Christened Maria De Luz Fiasca Piedade in the Algarve region of Portugal, she immigrated to the U.S. in 1923 to make a new life in America. The family moved to Old Saybrook, shortly after landing in Providence R.I., where she remained for the balance of her life, and became “Mamie” to most who knew her. She met and married Norman E Rutty to whom she was wed for over 73 years. They worked as a team operating a diner in Ivoryton, a snack truck at the Old Saybrook town beach and ultimately an independent grocery store (the Ideal Food Store) on Main St., Old Saybrook. Mamie was an avid seamstress and gardener, from the outfits she created for herself and her granddaughter, the stuffed animals she made for her great-grandchildren to the beautiful dried hydrangeas she dispensed to the various doctors’ secretaries and bank clerks she knew. A wonderful life well lived and well loved.

Mamie was predeceased by her mother and father, Isabel Fiasca and Jose Martins Piedade, and her beloved sisters Augustina “Judy” Pigano and Isabel “Dolly” Beckmann. She is survived by her loving husband Norman Rutty Sr., son Norman Rutty Jr. of Centerbrook, her grandchildren Katherine Brashears of Seattle WA and Joshua Rutty of St Thomas USVI, great-grandchildren Isabella and Maeve Brashears, God-daughter Deb Beckmann and many nieces and nephews. Calling hours for friends and family will be at Swan Funeral Home,1224 Boston Post Rd. Old Saybrook on Friday May 25, 2012 from 4 to 7pm with a Mass of Christian Burial at St John’s Catholic Church, Main St. Old Saybrook, on Saturday May 26, at 12 noon. Interment will be private at St John’s Cemetery in Old Saybrook. Memorial gifts may be made to the Old Saybrook Garden Club or to the Ivoryton Playhouse. Please visit www.swanfuneralhomeoldsaybrook.com for tributes and condolences.