Oliva (Durso) Ruggiero
Utica, NY
Mrs. Oliva (Durso) Ruggiero, age 83, of Utica, passed away on Sunday, June 11, 2017 at St. Elizabeth Medical Center. Born in Esperia, Italy on January 16, 1934, Oliva was the daughter of the late Paolo and Assunta (DiCuffa) Durso.
Oliva met the love of her life, Raffaele Ruggiero, in a small church in Ausonia, Italy, when she was only 19. She and her family relocated to the United States and the Utica area, leaving the love of her life behind. Oliva accepted a position with Abelove’s Laundry in order to earn enough money to go back to Italy to be reunited to Raffaele. On October 15, 1960 in St. Pietro Church in Esperia, Italy the couple were married. Oliva returned to the United States on her own, awaiting her beloved Raffaele’s arrival; he joined her in 1962. The couple shared in a union that has spanned over fifty-six years. Her home was the center of her family. It was where she shared the love, tenderness and unique sensitivity it took to be admired as a beautiful wife, mother, and grandmother. Her happiest times, were spent surrounded by her family and many friends. Oliva was a talented cook; she loved to share her numerous culinary dishes and especially loved to watch everyone enjoy them.
Mrs. Ruggiero is survived by her beloved husband, Raffaele; a daughter and son-in-law, Maria Francesca “Jackie” and Joe Camello, of Utica; a son and daughter-in-law, Joseph T. and Maria Anne Ruggiero, of Marcy; her grandchildren, Vanessa DeGristina and her companion, Hector Gonzalez, of Utica, Jaclyn and Dustin Dye, of New York Mills, Francesca DeGristina, of Utica, their father, Thomas DeGristina, whom she loved as a son; twin grandsons, Joseph “Joey” Ruggiero and Anthony Ruggiero, of Marcy; and many of her grandchildren’s friends, of whom she considered her own grandchildren; four brothers and sisters-in-law, Mariano and Elisa Durso, of Utica, Joseph Durso, of Florida, Anthony Durso, of Rome, and Raymond and Debbie Durso, of Utica. Also surviving are many nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, and in-laws, Antoinette Costanzo, Antonio and Giuseppina Ruggiero, Biagio and Antoinette Ruggiero, and Domenico Ruggiero, all of Italy.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday evening, from 4:00-7:00 at Adrean Funeral Service, Inc., 700 Rutger St., corner of Mohawk St., Utica (at The Matt Funeral Home). Mrs. Ruggiero’s funeral will commence on Thursday at 11:30 a.m. from the funeral home and 12:30 p.m. at St. Mary of Mt. Carmel/Blessed Sacrament Parish, where her Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated. Entombment will follow in Calvary Cemetery Mausoleum.
Oliva’s family wishes to thank Donna DiCuffa and her family, for being an intricate part of the Ruggiero family and for her continued friendship and care throughout Oliva’s illness.
The entire staff of St. Elizabeth Medical Center, as well as, the staff of Senior Network Health, especially Debbie and Melissa, are to be commended for the special attention that they displayed to Oliva and her family; as well as Dr. Daniel Goodman, his staff, and the many caregivers at the Slocum Dickson Medical Group. The family will long remember the efforts and kindness shown by the Utica Fire Department on the many occasions that they responded to Oliva’s home. Oliva’s aide and friend, Janice “Jenny”, will always be remembered for her many acts of kindness.

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