Adeline Ruggiero Caruso, 96, passed from this life to the next on May 28, 2017.
Born in Brooklyn, New York on August 22, 1920, Adeline was a beautiful, kind, loving, strong and fearless woman, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.
Born to Carmela and Joseph Ruggiero, who emigrated to the U.S. through Ellis Island from Naples, Italy at the turn of the 20th century, Adeline, affectionately known as “Addie,” was bilingual in her early years and a gifted artist throughout her life who loved to paint, draw, crochet, sew and design clothes.
Addie lived in Brooklyn for 86 years and raised her family in Bensonhurst. For the last 10 years of her life, she lived in White Plains, New York.
After graduating from high school, she worked as a professional seamstress until she met the love of her life at the end of World War II, Anthony “Tony” Caruso. She instantly fell in love with him and his Italian good looks and striking blue eyes. They had a great love affair and were married for 19 years before Tony’s untimely death in 1966.
Addie was a woman before her time and accepted all people, regardless of ethnicity, gender or sexual orientation. A devout Catholic and great Marianist, Addie always guided her children to ask the Blessed Mother for help during challenging times.
A homemaker for many years, Addie loved all things art including still life, needlework and crafts and loved animals of all sorts. She was an original designer of beautiful formalwear including wedding, prom and flower girl dresses. She was an avid reader and self-educated and had a green thumb; all of her plants, vegetables and flowers flourished under her care. Addie had a great love of family and believed in keeping all of the Italian traditions especially during the holidays.
The last of four siblings, Addie is survived by her children, Frances Ruggiero Pasquel (Thomas), Victoria McDonald (James), 7 grandchildren Edward Ruggiero (Dawn), Julie Revelant (Steven), A.J. Caruso, William Caruso, Erica Chierchio (Michael), James McDonald, Skye McDonald and her 7 great-grandchildren. She is predeceased by her son Anthony Caruso (Arlene) and son-in-law Eugene Ruggiero.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or Jansen Hospice and Palliative Care, Scarsdale, New York.
The family will receive visitors at the Hawthorne Funeral Home, 21 West Stevens Avenue, Hawthorne, New York, Tuesday, May 30, 2017, 2:00-4:00 and 7:00-9:00.
A Mass of the Resurrection will be held at St. Theresa R.C. Church, 1394 Pleasantville Road, Briarcliff Manor, NY, Wednesday, May 31, 2017 at 10:00 a.m.
Interment will follow at Long Island National Cemetery, Farmingdale, New York.
JOHN G. CRAWFORD FUNERAL DIRECTOR
914-438-9843