Ruth Elaine Porretta

Ruth Elaine Hilferink Porretta, 94, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, Sunday, October 30, 2022, at Angela Hospice, Livonia, Michigan.
Mrs. Porretta was born on October 11, 1928 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She was the daughter of Garret Henry and Rosa (Muth) Hilferink. She graduated from South High School in Grand Rapids where she was an honor student as well as an accomplished flautist. She was offered first chair flute and a full scholarship at Michigan State but elected to attend the University of Michigan where she graduated with a degree in Journalism.
While attending U of M, she met the love of her life, Charles Anthony Porretta, on a blind date, and married him in 1950. For over seventy years they were devoted to each other, raised a large family, and supported each other through sickness and health.
In the first eight years of her marriage, Mrs. Porretta moved her growing family six times to four different states, due to her husband's medical training and service in the U.S. Army. In 1957, they settled in their home on Birchcrest Drive in Detroit, Michigan.
In addition to running a household of ultimately nine people, Mrs. Porretta volunteered with the Junior Guild of Providence Hospital. She was an active member and relished her work in the Emergency Room.
In 1970, the family moved to their home in Bloomfield Hills. Mrs. Porretta volunteered to work with Detroit Metropolitan Airport's Travelers Aid and later with WJR's Call To Action.
For many years Ruth sang soprano with the choir of Old St. Mary's Catholic Church in downtown Detroit.
She and her husband were members of the Detroit Golf Club for many years. They were devout members of Gesu Parish in Detroit and of St. Hugo of the Hills Parish in Bloomfield Hills.
Family was her primary focus and highest priority. Mrs. Porretta is survived by her devoted children: Catherine (Thomas) Pasquale, Manchester, NJ; Frank (Brigitte) Porretta, Ortonville, MI; Mary Clare (Michael) Porretta-Passera, Grand Rapids, MI; Philip (Joanné) Porretta, Howell, MI; Juliana (Thomas) Clements, Alpharetta, GA; George (Mary) Porretta, Milford, MI; and Regina (Scott) Brun, The Woodlands, TX.
She is survived by twenty grandchildren: Clare Smith, NJ; Carla Karp, NJ; Cate Leckrone, MD; Stephanie Owens, MI; Tony Porretta, MI; Whitney Porretta-Antilla, Chile, S.A.; Hayley Dodd, MI; Dante Passera, NC; Mario Passera, MI; Charles Porretta, MI; Caitlin Porretta, NY; Natalie Porretta, CA; Kristen Clements, GA; Carolyn Hughes, MD; Thomas Clements, GA; Lauren Clements, GA; Elena Heinritz, MI; Regina Porretta, MI; Matthew Brun, TX; and Juliana Brun, TX.
Also by twenty-seven great-grandchildren: Andrew, Norah, Samuel, Vivian, Tessa, Aubrey, Anna, Grace, Sarah, Rachel, Jonathan, Benjamin, Dominic, Malin, Roman, Freya, Arlo, Maren, James, Vincent, Zachary, Robert, Juliana, Annamarie, Felicity, Joseph, and Noah.
She was predeceased by her husband, Charles A. Porretta, M.D., her infant daughter, Mary Jennifer Porretta, her granddaughter, Angela Porretta Miller, her parents, Garret Henry and Rosa Hilferink, her brother, Hubert Hilferink, and his wife, Janet, her brothers- and sisters-in-law, George and Ann Porretta and Frank and Roberta Porretta.
Family will receive friends Friday, November 11, 2022, from 4-8 pm with Rosary 7pm at A.J. Desmond & Sons (Vasu, Rodgers & Connell Chapel), 32515 Woodward Ave. (btwn 13-14 Mile), 248-549-0500.
Funeral Mass Saturday, November 12, 2022, 10am at St. Hugo of the Hills Stone Chapel, 2215 Opdyke Rd., Bloomfield Hills, 48304. Visitation at the church begins at 9:30 am.
Family suggests memorial tributes to Angela Hospice.