Denise Maria Ruggeri

1946 - 2025

Denise Maria Ruggeri
07/11/1946 - 07/30/2025
Denise was born in San Francisco on July 11, 1946, to Gloria and Joseph (Pino) Ruggeri. She died on July 30, 2025, after a brief hospitalization for melanoma. Her son John Paul Girarde was with her at the end, holding her hand as she passed.
Denise attended Corpus Christi Grammar School Class of 1960, where she was also a loyal member of San Francisco Girl Scout Troop 485. She attended Notre Dame de Victoires High School, graduating in 1964. She remained close with her school friends from Corpus Christi and NDV, and shared lifelong friendships with a great many of them.
Denise earned her bachelor's degree in English from San Francisco State University in 1969. Along the way, she married John B. Girarde, as well as completing teacher preparation coursework to earn her teaching credential.
Denise's teaching career was cut short when her son John Paul was born on July 23, 1970. She raised John Paul as a single mom while she worked after divorcing in 1976. She supported her son in their Richmond District flat by working as a legal secretary extraordinaire at a variety of law firms during her 34 year career: first in the San Francisco City Attorney's Office; then at Carpeneti & Carpeneti; then at Plastiras, Redmond and Shane (located above the House of Bagels, a few blocks from her home); then at the Law Office of Basil Plastiras; then at the Lossing and Elston firm; and finally, for the last 23 years of her career, for attorney Tom Brandi at the Brandi Law Firm. Denise's long service in the legal profession encouraged her son John Paul to become a lawyer, and his first jobs in the profession were the results of friendships she had cultivated in her career.
Denise retired from Brandi Law in 2011, transitioning to being a full-time grandmother to Vic, Thomas and Gus Girarde, while administrating a vibrant social life with her many family and friends. She embraced her newfound role as The World's Best Italian Grandmother with gusto, helping care for her grandkids several times a week, while serving a volunteer librarian at their school, Lawton Alternative School, and cooking family dinner nearly every Sunday evening for 16 years (taking over for Grandma Gloria in that role).
One of Denise's special talents was staying in touch with those she grew up and worked with in all the above spheres. She became the nucleus of an ever increasing network of friends, connecting everyone with everyone else. She was remarkably able to plan and initiate multiple parties and adventures that became annual traditions in these circles. She was renowned for her sense of humor, rapier wit, and quick retorts (often self-depreciating), thus enlivening these gatherings.
A group of her classmates recently nominated her as their Patron Saint of Good Times, Hospitality, and Generosity. This was a tribute to her willingness to organize and host their annual reunions for several years. Denise was thoughtful, well-read, smart, savvy, and indefatigable. A fiercely loyal and generous friend, inveterate letter and emailer throughout her life. "La Contessa," as she was known, had an impressive long-term memory, she could recall not only the date of a long-past event, but she could tell you what you were wearing, who else was there, and what was on the menu. She was an avid gardener, a lifelong learner, and enjoyed traveling the world with family and friends.
An active volunteer in many community organizations, she worked in the library at SF Youth Guidance Center and at her grandchildren's schools. She cooked, served, and cleaned up at the Raphael House Family Shelter as well as at Project Open Hand and a shelter for homeless immigrants. She participated in community work days at the San Francisco Food Bank and organized activities of the Mission Terrace Home Improvement Association.
She is mourned by her son John Paul and his wife Kari Porter Girarde; her adored grandchildren Vic, Thomas, and Gus Girarde; her sister Mary Ruggeri Schiraldi and Mary's husband Jerry Schiraldi; her nephews Michael and Christopher Schiraldi; her Fontana, Ruggeri, and Cooper cousins; and many, many friends too numerous to mention.
Family and friends are invited to a Celebration of Life at the San Francisco Italian Athletic Club,
1630 Stockton Street, San Francisco, CA 94133 at noon on Thursday, August 21 at 12:00 noon. Please RSVP to https://bit.ly/DeniseRuggeri so that we can give the caterers an estimated attendance.
In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations in honor of Denise to Planned Parenthood (https://bit.ly/PlannedParenthoodDenise) or Project Open Hand at https://www.openhand.org/donate or call 415-447-2326.