29 November, 1938 – 26 February, 2025
It is with broken hearts that we announce the passing of Anna Ruggiero on February 26th, 2025 at Guelph General Hospital at the age of 86 surrounded by her loving family. Anna was the loving wife to the late Lorenzo Ruggiero (1968) and cherished mother to the late Maria Ruggiero (1991) and Lorenza Ruggiero and her husband Livio Ghizzardi. She was an adoring nonna to Valentina, Chiara and Luca Ghizzardi. Anna is now reunited with her husband Lorenzo and her daughter Maria, whom she missed and loved so dearly.
Anna was born on November 29, 1938, in Pennadomo, Italy, the oldest daughter of the late Giuseppe and Nicolina De Angelis. At a young age she took on the role of nurturing older sister and often cared for her younger siblings to help her parents. She met Lorenzo, the love of her life, in her hometown and was married in 1958. Shortly after they moved to Guelph, where Anna and her husband started their family. They worked very hard to build a home and to create a better future together.
Shortly after arriving in Canada, Anna found a job at Biltmore Hats where she was a talented hat crafter and created many fond memories with lifelong friends and paisani.
After her husband Lorenzo tragically passed away at a young age, Anna was left to provide for her young family on her own. With the loving support of her sister-in-law Nicolina, Anna courageously persevered and devoted herself to her children, providing them with endless love and a fulfilling life.
Anna was adored by her daughters. They thought the world of her and felt so fortunate to have such a special mom and amazing role model. Despite the tragic loss of her beloved daughter Maria, Anna found the strength to continue providing love and dedication to her younger daughter and her family.
Anna was a soft-spoken, caring and loving person who always put others before herself. She was always ready to lend a helping hand to family and friends, her generosity and love for others were always apparent.
Anna was passionate about cooking and baking and sharing this passion with family and friends. Her grandson spent many hours learning her recipes and developing his love for cooking with her. She made exquisite meals, homemade pasta and pizza, cookies and cakes that were loved by family and friends. She found great joy in others enjoying her food as this was her way of expressing her love.
She loved spending long sunny days in her large vegetable garden and tending to her beautiful flowers found all around her home. She was passionate about making her homemade tomato sauce and jarred peaches at the end of every summer. What Anna treasured most in life was her family. Family gatherings and celebrations were very special to her. Many of her favourite days were spent with her grandchildren, caring for them in their younger years, enjoying family meals together, being one of their biggest fans at her granddaughters’ dance competitions, and cheering on her grandson at his soccer games. Her grandchildren will fondly remember days spent together with their nonna, her amazing homemade pizza and her immense heart. Anna also loved spending time with her brother and sisters making prosciutto, salsicce, wine and preparing delicious elaborate meals for family gatherings.
Caring sister to John De Angelis (Fern), Ersilia Visentin (Joe), Maria Guardiero (Mario), Agnes Sousa (Dave), and Lidia Salvino (late Piero) and sister-in-law to Nicolina Ruggiero, the late Angelina Ruggiero and the late Maria Piccone. She was loved by many nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends.
Anna’s family would like to extend a heartfelt thank-you to the doctors, nurses and staff at Guelph General for their kindness and compassionate care.
A visitation will be held at the Gilbert MacIntyre & Son Funeral Home, Hart Chapel, 1099 Gordon St., Guelph on Thursday, March 6, 2025 from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Joseph’s Church 409 Paisley Rd., Guelph on Friday, March 7, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. Interment at Marymount Cemetery, Guelph.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to The Foundation of Guelph General Hospital https://gghfoundation.ca
Donations can be made in person at the funeral home (cash and cheques accepted) or online at www.gilbertmacintyreandson.com