Erminia “Millie” Ruggiero Pettella, 93, a lifelong resident of North Haven, passed away peacefully on Oct. 26, 2024, at Benchmark Senior Living, Hamden, with her family by her side. She was the beloved wife of 56 years to the late Salvatore Pettella. Millie was born in New Haven on Jan. 22, 1931, and was the daughter of the late Frank and Josephine D’Addio Ruggiero.

She was the office manager and bookkeeper for F & W Equipment Corporation of Orange for 40 years until her retirement. Millie enjoyed painting, gardening, birdwatching, and traveling – including frequent trips to the casino.

She was the mother of Cynthia (William) Christie Jr.; grandmother of Kaitlyn, Erin, and Claire Christie; sister of Marilyn Gillo, Carmine “Sonny” Ruggiero, Michael “Mickey” Ruggiero (Phyllis), Rose DeLucia, Gloria Barbiero (Paul), Louis Ruggiero (Catherine), MaryLou Calamita (John), Karen McKiernan (John) and the late Dolores “Dee” Torello. Also, she is survived by her brother-in-law Nicholas Torello; many nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and great-nephews. She was predeceased by her nephew, John Calamita.

The visiting hours will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 1, at The Havens Family North Haven Funeral Home, 36 Washington Avenue. Family and friends are invited at 10 a.m. on Saturday morning, Nov. 2, to go directly to St. Therese Church, 555 Middletown Avenue, North Haven, to attend a Mass of Christian burial and are also invited to attend the Committal Service immediately following in All Saints Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Benchmark Senior Living Holiday Fund, 35 Hamden Hills Drive, Hamden, CT 06518. www.northhavenfuneral.com.