Ruth M. Gallerani

1923 – 2012

Ruth Marguerite (Duda) Gallerani, 88, beloved wife of George L. Gallerani, of Woodstock, CT and Santa Rosa Beach, FL, passed away peacefully on December 13, 2012 surrounded by her loving family. Born December 27, 1923, in Northampton, MA, she was the daughter of the late Joseph and Catherine (Adams) Duda .
Ruth was a star athlete in basketball, softball and tennis during her high school years at Northampton High School. Wearing her lucky #13 basketball jersey, Ruth was before her time in women’s athletics. It seems fitting that her final day was the 13th of the month. During WWII, Ruth served as a phone operator often riding to work at night on her bicycle wearing an arm badge giving special permission to be out after the 9pm curfew.
Following her marriage to George L. Gallerani in 1954, her life joy was supporting her husband and caring for her six children. Ruth was an active volunteer throughout her life in scouting, church activities, craft bazaars, Meals on Wheels delivery, and an active fund raiser for parochial schools and supported the works of the Sisters of her parish providing them with transportation. The family had also lived in Milford, CT, Louisville, KY and York, PA following George’s career, and Ruth served the community in all locations. She loved to drive and following her husband’s retirement, traveled the United States going to the national parks and historical sites. They covered 48 states, many more than once. She loved to take care of her lawns and gardens in both Connecticut and Florida where she walked the beach and swam daily until just a few months ago. She also loved antiques and auctions. In her later life, her daily joy was talking to her children, sharing their events and those of her grandchildren, always assuring them that everyone was ‘fine’. She was an active communicant of St. Mary’s church in Putnam, CT, and Saint Rita’s in Santa Rosa Beach, FL.
Along with her husband George L. Gallerani, she also leaves her six children and their families. Son Michael and his wife Sharon (Goodwin) Gallerani of West Simsbury, CT, and their children, Catherine (Frank) Herrington, Jr. of Nashville, TN, Robert of San Diego, David of Columbia, SC, and Thomas of West Simsbury; son James and his wife Virginia (Ambrose) of Fairfield, CT, and sons Matthew and Michael; daughter Laura Perednia and her husband Donald of North Granby, CT, and children Hilary Jacobson of Harrisonburg, VA and Rachel Jacobson of Ashburn, VA ; and Greg of Hawaii, Rick of NH and Daniel of Boston; daughter Carol Otto and her husband Bill of Lake Tomahawk, WI and their children Jonathan, Tyler, Alyssa and Jennifer; son Paul and his wife Mary (Walker) of Woodstock and children Cailyn of Pomfret and Keith of Eastford, and Robert Newton of Woodstock; and daughter Beth DiPilato and her husband Nicholas, Jr. of West Boylston, MA and daughters Angela of Portland, OR, and Staci and Serena of Worcester, MA. She was predeceased by her brother, Joseph Duda of Florence, MA and her nephew Joseph Duda. She is also survived by her sister in law Virginia Duda of Florence, MA.
A memorial service will be held on Memorial Day, which would have been the 59th wedding anniversary of George and Ruth. Donations in her name may be made to Hospice and Palliative Care of Northeastern Connecticut, P.O. Box 632, Day Kimball Hospital, Putnam, CT 06260. The Gilman Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements. For memorial guestbook visit www.GilmanAndValade.com.

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