Susan Phyllis Ruggiero, 99, died peacefully on January 28, 2024, in
Glen Allen, Virginia. She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother and aunt.
She is survived by her daughter, Sylvia M. Sradomski of
Glen Allen, Va., and her son, Joseph G. Ruggiero (Linda) of
Naples, Fla.; her three grandchildren, Ann Marie Griffith (Lawrence) of
Glen Allen, Va., Susan Alston (Jeffrey) of East Hampton, Ct., and Thomas M. Sradomski Jr. of
Havre de Grace, Md.; and five great-grandchildren, Grace and Gabriel Griffith, Nathan and Marlee Alston and Tessa Sradomski.
She was born October 12, 1924, in
Jersey City, N.J., the daughter of Raffaele and Juanine Picardo, immigrants from the Avellino region of Italy. She had 12 siblings: Teresa Cirelli, Lucy Capo, Carmela Lesiak, Eva Vilas, Adamo, Alfonse, Anthony, Joseph, Louis, Marietta (Cedar Grove, N.J.), Mary and Thomas Picardo.
She and Joey, the love of her life and a World War II Navy veteran, were married for 71 years. They lived in
Bradley Beach, N.J. for more than 50 years. As a young woman, she worked at RCA making radio tubes. She later became a beautician, setting up shop in her home where she colored, cut and set her friends' hair for many years. She was active in her church and community, serving as an officer of her local chapter of the Catholic Daughters and volunteering for the Deborah Hospital Foundation.
Susan dressed to impress and never left the house without her nails polished and every hair in place. She was a prolific knitter, making baby blankets, sweaters, hats and scarves for loved ones and charity. Above all, she was queen of the kitchen. There was always room at her table and the Italian feasts she prepared were legendary.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11 a.m., Friday, February 2, at Our Lady of Lourdes, 8200 Woodman Road, Henrico, Va. A graveside service will take place 11 a.m., Saturday, February 3 at Mount Calvary Mausoleum, 2452 Asbury Ave.,
Neptune City, N.J. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Deborah Hospital Foundation.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Susan, please visit our floral store.