Pel was born in Bronx, NY, the daughter of the late Giuseppe (Joe) Mele and Antoinette Mele (Diasio). She attended PS 14 in the Bronx, Walton High School, and Hunter College.
In October 1947 she married Thomas Ruggiero. They had five children, Thomas Jr., John, Marie, Angela, and Joanne. She started her career at Manufacturers Hanover Bank. While her children were in school, she volunteered in the classroom, and was the first Girl Scout Leader to take her troop on an overnight trip. As her children grew up, she started working at First National City Bank, now Citibank, becoming a Branch Manager serving the Throggs Neck area.
Pel was always a very active volunteer in St. Benedict church and school. After retiring from Citibank, she volunteered with her sister at the church office. Pel and Tom attended the Northeast Bronx Senior Citizen Center daily, and even worked in the kitchen serving lunches to all. They had a large circle of friends who they socialized and travelled with and attended many dinner dances and festivals. Pel enjoyed sewing and knitting, so much so she made her own wedding dress, many costumes, and blankets for all. She was an avid gardener and enjoyed crafting.
She and Tom moved to New Fairfield, Connecticut in 2009. She continued being active at the New Fairfield Senior Center, crafting, volunteering, and going on trips with friends.
After the death of her husband in 2015, she moved to The Village at Brookfield Common. Pel continued to be very involved at VBC, participating in all of the daily activities offered and volunteering in any way she could. Her favorite activities were Bingo, Rumikub, word searches, and shopping on Thursday mornings. She loved spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren and was always singing their praises to anyone who would listen.
Pel was predeceased by her daughter, Angela; her sister, Carmela (Millie) Mele; and her husband of 67 years, Thomas.
Survivors include her children, Thomas Ruggiero and his wife Clara of East Brunswick, New Jersey, John Ruggiero and his wife Barbara of Rockland County, NY, Marie Ruggiero of Boca Raton, FL, and Joanne Filardo and her husband Anthony of New Fairfield, CT. Two older brothers, Nick (FL) and John (FL). Her grandchildren: Nicole D’Alessandro and her husband Luciano (NJ), Joseph Ruggiero and his wife Natalie (NJ), Michelle Ruggiero (NJ), John Ruggiero (MA), Thomas Ruggiero (NYC), Nicholas and Samantha Filardo (CT), as well as five Great Grandchildren.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 am on Thursday, October 20, 2022 at St. Edward the Confessor Roman Catholic Church, New Fairfield. Interment will be at the convenience of the family.
Friends will be received from 4:00pm-8:00pm on Wednesday, October 19, 2022 at the Green Funeral Home, 57 Main St., Danbury.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Pel’s memory may be made to: the American Heart Association, POB 840692, Dallas, TX 75284 or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
