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Grace (Messina) Ruggiero

Family & friends are invited to attend Visiting Hours on Wednesday, February 26th from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., in the Vertuccio and Smith, Home for Funerals, 773 Broadway (Rte. 107) REVERE, for Grace (Messina) Ruggiero, who died peacefully in the tender presence of her God, on Sunday, February 23rd at the Melrose-Wakefield Hospital, following a long illness, she just celebrated her 87th birthday on January 29th with her family. A funeral will be conducted from the funeral home on Thursday, February 27th at 10:00 a.m., followed by a Funeral Mass in Most Blessed Sacrament Church, 1155 Main St., WAKEFIELD at 11:00 a.m. Interment will be in Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett.

Grace was born & raised in Santa Caterina, Villarmosa, Caltanissetta, Italy. In 1960, Grace was 27 years old when she came to America, settling in East Boston. Grace worked for a brief time as a seamstress in Boston’s Garment District. She was married shortly later, on November 18, 1962 to Mario Ruggiero. The couple remained in East Boston where together they raised their 3 children. In 1986, the family moved to Saugus until her passing. Her family felt overwhelmingly blessed to have had such a devout wife, mother & Nonna. She lived up to the epitome of her name, Grace. She was truly a lady of grace & strength. Caring for her family was always the top priority of her life. Cooking, sewing & caring were not tasks or chores, that is what she did and incredibly so well. There was no place she would want to be than to be around her loving family. She was undoubtedly a Matriarch that demonstrated her love and unwavering selfness for her entire family. Her presence will be greatly missed, her memory & love will continue on within her children. 

She is the devoted & beloved wife of 57 years to Mario Ruggiero, Sr. of Saugus. Cherished & loving mother of Rosemarie Williams & husband Joseph P. of Saugus, Josephine Ruggiero of Saugus & her companion Kenneth Cummings of New York City & Mario Ruggiero, Jr. & wife Dina of Saugus. Adored grandmother of Sean J. Williams of Saugus. Dear sister of Domenica Amico of East Boston, Salvatore Messina of Revere & the late Lella Messina & Giuseppe Messina. She is also lovingly survived by many nieces, nephews, grandnieces & grandnephews both here in the U.S. & Italy.

Services

Visiting Hours

Wednesday, February 26th from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Funeral Mass

Thursday, February 27th at 11:00 a.m. in Most Blessed Sacrament Church, 1155 Main St., Wakefield

Interment

Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett

In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the Most Blessed Sacrament Church, 1155 Main St., Wakefield, MA 01880.

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2 Messages Send your condolences
  1. Costantini,Tony and Josephine & family
    Feb 26 2020

    With our deepest sympathy may she rest in peace.you are all in our prayer,may God give you peace. Love Tony,jo, Alberto & michael

  2. Maureen Ferri
    Feb 26 2020

    So very sorry for your loss

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To all our families, friends, and residents of Revere, East Boston, and surrounding communities of the North Shore,

We would like to announce that after 37 years of caring for thousands of families at our 773 Broadway location, on January 31st, 2023 we will be officially RELOCATING, to our new location at 262 Beach St., Revere.
On September 30th, 2022, we proudly purchased the Vazza “Beechwood” Funeral Home – DiPietro and Vazza, Inc. A name that has served families for 102 years. We feel blessed that with all of the interest, the Vazza Family chose us to carry on their century old business and family name. We will become Vertuccio Smith & Vazza, Beechwood Home for Funerals. We will continue to honor the Vazza name and continue our commitment the same way that we always have. We also look forward to having both Louis Vazza and Jessica Vazza Ferragamo alongside of us, as we come together as one.
Our reputation has always been our biggest asset. For many years people always wanted us to have a larger facility, now our facility is the largest funeral home in the area. We will be making many beautiful upgrades to allow our families to have the most elegant facility to honor their loved one.
Although this announcement is bittersweet, as we say goodbye to our home, we are forever grateful for all of you for placing your constant faith and trust in us to care for your loved one. We will continue to do what we are best known for.
Thank you for your friendship and continued support.
God bless you all.
Faithfully,

Your friends at Vertuccio Smith and Vazza.

To all our families, friends, and residents of Revere, East Boston, and surrounding communities of the North Shore,

We would like to announce that after 37 years of caring for thousands of families at our 773 Broadway location, on January 31st, 2023 we will be officially RELOCATING, to our new location at 262 Beach St., Revere.

On September 30th, 2022, we proudly purchased the Vazza “Beechwood” Funeral Home – DiPietro and Vazza, Inc. A name that has served families for 102 years. We feel blessed that with all of the interest, the Vazza Family chose us to carry on their century old business and family name. We will become Vertuccio Smith & Vazza, Beechwood Home for Funerals. We will continue to honor the Vazza name and continue our commitment the same way that we always have. We also look forward to having both Louis Vazza and Jessica Vazza Ferragamo alongside of us, as we come together as one.

Our reputation has always been our biggest asset. For many years people always wanted us to have a larger facility, now our facility is the largest funeral home in the area. We will be making many beautiful upgrades to allow our families to have the most elegant facility to honor their loved one.

Although this announcement is bittersweet, as we say goodbye to our home, we are forever grateful for all of you for placing your constant faith and trust in us to care for your loved one. We will continue to do what we are best known for.

Thank you for your friendship and continued support.

God bless you all.

Faithfully,

Your friends at Vertuccio Smith and Vazza.