Dorothy R. (Whitty) Ruggiero

Dorothy R. (Whitty) Ruggiero, 99, of Taunton, formerly of Fall River, died Thursday, November 20, 2008. A graduate of Durfee High School and Herrick Business Institute, she enjoyed playing the piano and banjo, and knitting, crocheting and dancing. She and her late husband served as foster parents with Catholic Social Services, providing care for many newborn babies until their adoptions were finalized. She was the widow of Anthony R. Ruggiero; the mother of Anthony M. Ruggiero (wife Jeannine) of Swansea, Dorothy R. Ruggiero of Norwood, MA, Margaret M. Vieira (husband Joseph) of Fall River and the late Fall River Police Officer John W. Ruggiero (wife Vivianne of Somerset) and the late Francesca A. Ruggiero; the grandmother of Michael Ruggiero, Carol Jones, Linda Sousa, Teresa Andrews, Lisa Flavin, Fall River Police Officer John P. Ruggiero, Suzanne Brandle, Christine Vieira and Karen Vieira-Verdi; the great-grandmother of 16; the daughter of the late Michael and Ann (Connolly) Whitty and sister of the late Rev. John W. Whitty. Her funeral will be held Monday at 10:00 AM from the AUCLAIR FUNERAL HOME, 690 So. Main St., Fall River, with a funeral Mass in Good Shepherd Church at 11:00 AM. Burial, St. Patrick Cemetery. Visitation, Sunday 4:00 to 8:00 PM. LARGE PARKING AREA and BARRIER-FREE ENTRANCE at the rear of funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Joseph Parish (food pantry), 556 Washington St., Quincy MA 02169.