Ruth Mary Gerace
February 6, 1937 – November 20, 2021
Ruth Mary Cerace, born in Everett on February 6, 1937, daughter of the late John J. (Jack) and Marion R. (Jodrey) McCarthy, passed peacefully on November 20 at The Madonna Manor Skilled Nursing & Rehab Center in North Attleboro.
Ruth was a graduate of Medford High School (class of 1955). After raising her large family, she decided to begin a nursing career; graduating from Lawrence Memorial Hospital Nurses Aid Program in 1971 and the Licensed Practical Nurse Program through Greater Lowell Vocational Tech in 1976.
She was an LPN employed by various Massachusetts Hospitals (St John’s Lowell, Whidden Memorial in Everett and Joslin Diabetes Center in Boston. She eventually retired from clinic work while living in Jacksonville, NC.
Ruth spent her childhood in Everett, after which she raised her family in Medford, Lowell and Chelsea. Toward the end of her career, she relocated to Jacksonville, NC where she stayed for almost 22 years.
Traveling north to be with family, Ruth has been a resident of The Madonna Manor Center since 2019.
A voracious reader of all types of literature, Ruth enjoyed being surrounded by many of the books she loved. Additionally, she was a highly skilled needle art enthusiast-specifically knitting and needlepoint- making countless afghans and blankets upon request. Numerous times these items were donated or auctioned off for charity.
Ruth was the wife of the late Harry L. Gerace, Sr. and the mother of seven children, 14 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. She is survived by her son, Francis X. and his wife, Martina of Winchendon, MA, Harry L., Jr. and his wife, Mercy of Revere, Brian K. and his wife, Donna of Attleboro, Joseph A. and his wife, Ute of Jacksonville NC, and Marion R. Jones and her husband, Anthony of Wakefield. Ruth was predeceased by her son, John and his surviving wife, Rita of Acton and Helen A. and her surviving former husband, Jamal (Jimmy) Ahmed of Tewksbury.
Ruth was the older sister to Barbara White of Newport ,NC; John J (Jack) McCarthy Jr of Jacksonville, FL, Elizabeth Muscarella of Lowell, Marjorie Carbone of Londonderry, NH, Patricia Weismann of Boxboro and William McCarthy of Farmington,. ME. She was predeceased by her sister, Carol Sandelin.
Ruth’s family wishes to especially thank the staff of Madonna Manor for the exceptional level of care forf Ruth during her time there and the staff at Old Colony Hospice, who were actively involved with her end-of-life care.
Relatives and friends attended Ruth’s visiting hours in the Carafa Family Funeral Home, 389 Washington Ave., Chelsea on Wednesday, December 1 followed by Funeral Services at the funeral home and inurnment at Holy Cross Cemetery in Malden.
In lieu of flowers, her family respectfully asks that you consider a donation in Ruth’s memory to The Madonna Manor Skilled Nursing & Rehab Center, c/o the Activities Department, 85 North Washington Street, North Attleboro, MA 02760.
Richard Abdul Hassan Pittman
Taken from His Loved Ones Suddenly and Tragically
Richard “Richie” Abdul Hassan Pittman, 43, was suddenly and tragically taken from his loved ones, together with his beloved companion, April Carbone, 32, and their soon to be born baby, “Layla Rose,” needlessly by a disgruntled co-worker while working at Melet Plastics in Fargo, North Dakota on Wednesday, November 17.
Born in Boston on January 12, 1978 to Paula R. Cromwell and Richard Pittman, Richie was raised in Chelsea and attended local schools. His family ultimately relocated to West Haven, Connecticut where he continued his education at Technical High School in Milford, CT. Richie remained in West Haven for several more years with his sweetheart, Maria Rignoli, raising his son, Devyn M. Pittman. He was also the dear father of Breanna Westervelt of Hampden, CT.
In Connecticut Richie worked for A.M.S. and Krell Electronics as a machinist for a number of years. Two and a half years ago, he began a new chapter in his life by moving to Moorhead and Fargo, North Dakota. In Fargo, he was employed at Melet Plastics working with his recent companion, April. It was at work that together with their unborn daughter they would meet their tragic end.
In his lifetime, Richie enjoyed bowling, playing Jai Lai and video games with his son. He loved driving and could always be relied on to drive family and friends safely and in record time to their destinations.
To mourn his tragic passing and cherish his memories, he leaves his two children, Devyn Maurice Pittman of West Haven, CT and Breanna Westervelt of Hamden, CT; his granddaughter, Melody Jade Bookert, his loving parents, Paula R. Cromwell of Chelsea and Richard Pittman of Lynn. He was the loving grandson of the late Emerline (Smith) and Richard Cromwell and Donald and Esther Pittman; the dear brother of Richele Hill, Tia M. Pittman, Jessica L. Pittman and Sade R. Pittman and old sweetheart of Maria Rignoli. He is also survived by a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and many extended family members and friends.
Relatives and friends are most kindly invited to attend visiting hours at the Welsh Funeral Home, 718 Broadway, Chelsea on Friday, December 3 from 4 to 8 p.m. In order to protect the public health, all visitors are advised to wear face masks while in the Funeral Home. Family and friends will honor Richie’s life by gathering at the Welsh Funeral Home on Saturday, December 4 at 10 a.m. Services will conclude in the Funeral Home.
To send expressions of sympathy, visit www.welshFH.com.