Domenica H. (France) Ruggiero

Domenica Helen “Mickie” Ruggiero, 94, of Kent, passed away on Saturday, October 5, 2024 in the comfort of her home, with her family by her side.  She was born in Kent on June 17, 1930 to the late Domenico and Frances (Filomena) France.

She was a lifelong member of St. Patrick Catholic Church where she married the love of her life William “Bill” Ruggiero on September 16, 1950. They were married for 50 years, prior to Bill’s passing on October 21, 2000.

Mickie graduated from Kent Roosevelt High School in 1948.  She was very proud of that, due to her excellent shorthand, she obtained a job at Davey Tree Company while still in high school.  She became a full time Mom and homemaker, but her business skills enabled her to assist her husband in establishing Kent Landscaping Nursery.  She took care of the billing and payroll for the company.

Mickie was the Matriarch of the family, and her family was her passion.  She loved nothing more than feeding them her spaghetti and meatballs on Sundays.  She made her traditional ethnic holiday favorites for her children and friends to enjoy.  Treasured favorites were her enormous cookie trays at Christmas, her Anise and Cheese Breads at Easter and her Pizzelles and Biscotti all through the year.  She provided hundreds of homemade, decorated birthday cakes for her children.  Mickie loved attending her grandchildren’s activities and absolutely loved babies.  Nothing made her happier than watching her grandchildren and great grandchildren playing and getting their hugs and kisses.

She enjoyed bowling, playing cards and doing puzzles.  She took up crocheting and made hundreds of pairs of slippers, blankets and other items.  She faithfully watched General Hospital and was an avid Cleveland Indians (Guardians) fan.  Mickie enjoyed traveling to visit family in West Virginia, her best friend in Buffalo, NY and to local casinos.  She will be dearly missed, as she was the center of her family’s world.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Bill; siblings, Louise Riggie, Mary Seaver, Phillip France and Rose Frisina.

She leaves her children, Frances (Steve) Hardesty, Jill (Jerry) Johnson, Marcia (Frank) McGhee, William (Michelle) Ruggiero, Anne (Timothy) Adkins and Laurel (Patrick) Henry. Mickie adored her 15 grandchildren and her 21 great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Patrick Catholic Church and School or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be Celebrated on Thursday, October 10, 2024 at 11:00AM at St. Patrick Catholic Church, 313 N. Depeyster St. Kent, OH 44240, with the Rev. Fr. David Bridling as Celebrant.  Interment will follow at Standing Rock Cemetery.  Visitation will be prior to Mass from 10:00-11:00AM on Thursday at the church.

Services in the care of Bissler and Sons Funeral Home and Crematory, 628 W. Main St. Kent, OH 44240.