Pasqualina DeSimone peacefully at home in the company of her loving family. She was 95. Born and raised in Fontanarosa, Provincia di Avellino, Italy, the daughter of the late Sabato and Luisa (Cerundolo) Ruggiero. Pasqualina came to the United States with her children to join her husband in December 20, 1956. A devoted and loving wife, mother and nonni she cared deeply for her family. Pasqualina worked at the famed Ida’s Restaurant in the North End when the family first settled in the US. She later worked at Powers Fruit Candy and then at Schrafft’s until her retirement. She was an active member since 1968 of the Bakery and Confectionary Workers International Union. She will always be remembered by her family and friends for her kind and generous heart, gentle manner and beautiful smile. She welcomed all who came to her home with a simple word “mangia”. Her passion for family, gardening and Italian family traditions is a part of her legacy that will be treasured forever by her grandchildren.
The beloved wife of the late Angelo “Antonio” DeSimone who passed away in 2009, she was a devoted mother of Ralph DeSimone of Somerville, Dolores Donofrio and her husband Vincent of Rowley, Louisa Cardillo and her husband Benjamin of Somerville, Mafalda DeSimone and her husband Ronald Pesaturo of Melrose and AnnaMarie DeLisia and her husband Joseph of Melrose. She was a loving nonni to Adam Donofrio and his wife Melanie, Kristin Mary and Elizabeth Donofrio; Daniel, Marc and Robert DeSimone Pesaturo; Juliana, Michael and Joseph DeLisia and Justin Marra. The loving great-nonni of Isabella Rosaria Donofrio she was a dear sister to Fenizia Ruggiero of Italy and the late Salvatore Ruggiero.
Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to visit at the Dello Russo Funeral Home, 306 Main St., Medford, on Monday 6- 8 PM and Tuesday 2 - 4 & 6 - 8 PM. The funeral procession will gather on Wednesday August 10th at 9 AM followed by a funeral mass celebrated in St. Ann Church, 399 Medford Street, Somerville, at 10 AM. Services will conclude with burial at Oak Grove Cemetery, Medford.
Memorial contributions may be sent in Pasqualina's name to All Care Hospice, 210 Market St., Lynn, MA 01901.