Mary A. (Gentile) Ruggieri

Mary A. (Gentile) Ruggieri, 90, of Worcester, passed away peacefully at home on August 27, 2025, surrounded by her loved ones. She was the cherished wife of the late John (Jack) Ruggieri, with whom she shared 65 wonderful years of marriage until his passing in 2017.

Mary is survived by her devoted children: Donna McLaughlin of Oxford, Diana D’Acri and her husband Edward of Palm Bay, FL, John Ruggieri and his wife Christine of Shrewsbury, and Jeffrey Ruggieri of Worcester. She was also a proud grandmother to 12 grandchildren and a great-grandmother to 7 great-grandchildren, along with numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents and beloved husband, she was predeceased by her daughter, Deborah Lazzaro; her grandson, Jeffrey McLaughlin Jr.; and her siblings, John Gentile, Joseph Gentile Jr., and Gloria (Gentile) Rawlston.

Born on September 28, 1934, in Worcester, Mary was the daughter of Joseph and Margaret (Fiorello) Gentile. She dedicated over 20 years to the Worcester Public Schools until her retirement in 2011. Mary found immense joy in being surrounded by her family. She took pleasure in traveling near and far with her late husband Jack and their friends and family. She formed lasting friendships at both the Mt. Carmel Senior Center and the Senior Center of Worcester where she loved playing cards and bingo. She cherished her weekly Breakfast Club outings at various city restaurants with family members, a tradition that lasted for over a decade. She was deeply loved and will be truly missed by all who knew her.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 2nd, at Our Lady of Loreto Church, located at 37 Massasoit Road, Worcester. Following the Mass, she will be laid to rest at St. John’s Cemetery in Worcester.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made in Mary’s memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.