Flora Ruffini

For those of you who knew Flora, you know she carried a fiery spirit. She often told her family stories of her youth, beginning with her work in a factory at the age of 12. It was there she learned that challenges were not obstacles, but opportunities to show her grace and strength.
Flora was strong-minded. At times she judged quickly, but beneath that tough exterior was a heart of gold. She had a gift for creating handmade treasures, many of which Joe's daughters and granddaughter still hold dear today.
This past year, 2025, was filled with health challenges, yet Flora faced each one with courage, fighting many battles with the same resilience that defined her life. But there comes a time when the body can no longer fight, and the fiery spirit becomes no more than a flame. Today, we gather at the moment when her flame has finally been extinguished but continues to shine in the lives of those she touched along the way.
We pray for our Flora-our family, our friend and one who has been like a mother to many of us. May the angels carry her spirit to the heavens, where she will be reunited with her loved ones, her parents Giuseppe and Lucia, and her sisters, Nelia, Lina and Ausilia, in the kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. We love you, Flora!