Joan Irene Ruggiero

If you ask who Joan Ruggiero (Nannie) was, most will respond she was a loving Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Great Grandmother, Sister, Daughter, Aunt and friend. Her love had no boundaries once you entered her life you instantly became her family. Nannie was the Matriarch of her ever-growing family, which was always the most important thing in her life. She was always there to listen and give you her honest opinion like it or not. You could depend on her to change your mood by playing a game, which she often won. She loved to travel and enjoyed sports a loyal fan of the Marlins that usually created a buzz with the NY group. She loved to sing along with her cds of Celine Dion, Rod Stewart, Tony Bennet, Nat King Cole and Frank Sinatra. She was a movie buff that enjoyed mysteries and comedies both old and new. She thoroughly enjoyed her game shows and re-runs of Carol Burnett; I love Lucy and the Golden Girls. She also was a fan of Nancy Grace for current events. She was a very friendly and outgoing person that could sit for hours telling you stories of her past. Most would consist of her being a tomboy when she was younger, breaking her leg pole vaulting and swimming as often as possible. She often spoke of herself working in nursing homes and caring for the elderly which was her passion and how she treated each patient as her own parent. She had an undying love for her husband who died when she was just 48 years old and to whom she remained true right up to her untimely death. She was a fighter for what she believed in and a protector to all she loved. She loved a good game of yahtzee and her perfect evening would be to go to Bingo or the Casino especially if it was with one of her sisters or her mother. She was never a smoker, drinker, nor even one to wear make up. She was a woman who was very strong willed with very little needs. She was extremely giving and was never one that asked for something in return. She loved to laugh till tears would fill her eyes and she loved telling jokes which most were dirty. She was an avid believer in the power of the rosary and often prayed to the saints when someone was inflicted with an illness. We could write pages and pages on the many facets that made Joan Ruggiero who she was, but bottom line is all who knew her most definitely will remember and miss her. A Celebration of Life Visitation will take place Friday, August 20, 2010 from 3-5 P.M. and 7-9 P.M. where a wake service will take place at 4:45 P.M. with Father Michael A. Giorgi officiating. Visitation will be held at Savino Funeral Home & Cremation Services located 2950 North State Road 7 Margate, FL 33063, www.savinofuneralhome.com, 954.977.5244. Visitation will take place Sunday, August 22, 2010 from 5-9 P.M. where a wake service will take place 6 P.M. Visitation will be held at Blair-Mazzarella Funeral Home located 723 Coney Island Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11218, www.blairmazzarella.com, 718.282.1164. Burial will take place Monday, August 23, 2010 at Long Island National Cemetery located 2040 Wellwood Avenue Farmingdale, NY 11735,631.454.4949. Savino Funeral Home & Cremation Services is entrusted with all funeral arrangements.

Joan Irene Ruggiero

August 14, 1929 - August 16, 2010