Ruth Mary England Riccio

Ruth Mary England Riccio, 76 of Southington, passed away surrounded by her five loving children on Thursday, March 26, 2015. Born February 24, 1939 in Middletown, CT, she was the beloved and devoted wife of the late Ralph J. Riccio. Ruth was the daughter of the late Frederick Irving and Mary Eileen (Doolan) England. At the age of nine, she moved to Southington, CT where she resided for the remainder of her life. Prior to starting her family, Ruth was an elementary school teacher in Cheshire, CT. She then began a career in retail and worked at Raphael's and then Riccio's Clothing Store. She was very active as one of the founding families of the Church of St. Dominic where she spent many years devoted to the growth of her parish. As a very active member of the community, she spent time as a volunteer at the Bread for Life, the Southington Historical Society and the Southington Public Library where she recently served as a member of the Library Board. She was also a member of the Bradley Memorial Hospital Auxiliary Board and active in numerous other charitable community organizations. Her biggest commitment in life was to her husband, her five children, and her nine grandchildren. She lived her life with an abundance of love, strength and generosity. Ruth was a loyal friend and provided support and guidance to so many. Her genuine, down-to-earth personality and wittiness will be sorely missed. She is survived by her five adoring children - David Riccio of Southington, Michael Riccio and wife Tina of Southington; Danielle Riccio Kowalik and husband David of Wallingford; Ruth Riccio Bergin and husband Jameson of Glastonbury; Ralph T. Riccio of Southington; and her nine grandchildren - Anthony, Lucca and Francesca Riccio; Kaitlin and Braden Kowalik; and Livia, Madelyn, Lucy and Zachary Bergin. She leaves behind several close friends including her much loved sister-in-law, Margaret Farina and brother-in-law Pasco (Pucky) D'Aunno, and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her brother, John F. England. Her courageous, willful and incredibly positive fight of breast cancer over these past six months has left an impact on so many. She was an incredibly strong woman who displayed the same amount of strength in her passing as she lived in her life.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, March 31, 2015 at the Church of St. Dominic, 1050 Flanders Rd., Southington at 10 a.m. A private burial will be held for the family in St. Thomas Cemetery at a later date. Calling hours will be Monday from 4-8 p.m. at the DellaVecchia Funeral Home, 211 North Main Street, Southington. The family would like to extend an overwhelming amount of gratitude to the physicians and nursing staff of the Hospital of Central Connecticut. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to benefit the expansion of the Southington Public Library. Donations may be sent to Liberty Bank, Attn: Robert Flood, 60 North Main Street, Southington, CT 06489. For online condolences visit www.dellavecchiafh.com