Mrs. Barbara Ruggiero

Loving Mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.

WOODBRIDGE, CT – The family of Barbara Joan (Donovan) Ruggiero shares the news of her peaceful passing at her home that she made with her daughter and son-in-law surrounded by their love and comfort on Saturday, January 11th, 2025, at the age of 98, leaving a profound legacy of love, learning, and service. She was the widow of Louis M. Ruggiero.

Born, raised and spending the majority of her life in Waterbury, Barbara was the daughter of the late Daniel and Catherine (Devine) Donovan. Barbara's life was a testament to her unwavering commitment to education and the enrichment of the lives around her. A graduate of Waterbury Catholic High School, Barbara went on to earn a bachelor's degree in Bacteriology from the University of Connecticut, followed by a master's degree which provided the basis for her certification as a teacher. For many years, she dedicated herself to educating young people as a third-grade teacher, influencing countless students at the former Slocum Elementary School and later at Regan Elementary before her retirement. Barbara was not only an educator but also a devoted volunteer. She shared her time and talents as a tutor at the Children's Community School in Waterbury and participated in the Big Sister Program. Her commitment to mentoring and uplifting others extended beyond the classroom, as she was an active member of the American Association of University Women. In her retirement, Barbara enjoyed travel and time spent at her home in Cape Cod. She was a lifelong voracious reader and continued to take classes at UConn’s OLLI program into her 90s. Beyond her many professional accomplishments and community endeavors, her quiet devotion and deep sense of commitment to her family and friends created a legacy of selflessness, justice, and lifelong curiosity about the world. Above all, Barbara was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Even in her last days, a visit from a grandchild or great-grandchild lit her up from within, and the joy she took in bearing witness to the lives of all of the children who surrounded her at weekly meals and picnics in the yard or on summer trips to Cape Cod was clearly one of the great treasures of her life. With reverence, her great-grandchildren called her Great-Mother, a fitting tribute to a woman who was just that.

Barbara leaves behind her four children and their spouses, Barbara Ruggiero, Ph.D. and her husband, David Whitehouse, M.D., Lynn Ruggiero, Ph.D., and her husband, John Scileppi, Ph.D., Mark Ruggiero, M.D.,  and Neil Ruggiero and his wife, Jeanine Ruggiero, as well as her ten grandchildren, Meredith, Geoffrey, Christian, Gabrielle, Michael, Julia, Luke, Zachary, John, Marianne, 7 great-grandchildren, and dear cousin, Eleanoranne McCarthy. She is predeceased by her brother, John “Jack” Donovan, and daughter-in-law, Peggy Harrison .

Funeral services for Ms. Ruggiero will be held on Friday, January 31, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. when a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Mary Mother of the Church Parish, St. Leo the Great Church, 14 Bentwood Rd., Waterbury. Those planning to attend are asked to meet directly at the church. The Ruggiero family will greet guests, prior to the service.  Burial will be held privately and at the convenience of her family. Casey's Eastside Memorial Funeral Home and Cremation Care, 1987 East Main St., Waterbury, CT 06705 has been honored to care for Barbara and her family during this difficult time. www.caseyfunerals.com.