Ruth Ellen Mazzarella, devout Catholic
Ruth Ellen Mazzarella, 70, of Milton, passed away at home Friday, May 26, 2023. She was born May 21, 1953, in the Bronx, N.Y., daughter of the late Christopher and Margaret (Hill) Trudden.
Ruth attended Saints Peter and Paul Elementary School, followed by St. Raymond’s Academy for Girls. While still in high school, Ruth met the love of her life, George Mazzarella. One year later, they married Sept. 19, 1971, and they started their life together in the Bronx. A year into their marriage, Ruth and George were blessed with the birth of a healthy and beautiful baby girl. Her little brother, handsome and strong, arrived 18 months later. In 1978, the Mazzarellas decided to leave the city and moved their family to Fords, N.J., where Ruth created a warm, loving, and nurturing home for her family. She was a busy mom, involved in her children’s activities. Ruth was involved in the community as a member of the PTA, where she ran many fundraisers, directed some of the school plays, and even ran the concession stand for Pop Warner football for a season, all while working part-time jobs to help the family.
As the children got older, Ruth decided to return to school, attending classes at community college, earning her associate degree. She began to teach CCD, then adult religious education, which later led to a full-time teaching position at a Catholic elementary school. Ruth had found her true calling. While teaching full time, she earned her bachelor of arts degree from Felician College, followed by earning her master’s degree from Manhattan College. She became a principal at three Catholic schools in New Jersey. After George retired, the couple moved to Milton and Ruth became involved at St. Jude the Apostle Catholic Church in Lewes. She enjoyed attending Mass each day, taught CCD, and was active with the Bible and Breakfast Group. Ruth found purpose and passion for the cancer survivors’ group at Tunnell Center and was inducted into the Xi Sigma Chapter of the Beta Sigma Phi Sorority (a group of loving, caring, charitable women). Above all, time spent with those she held dear was what she cherished most. She was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. Ruth’s light shone brightly and touched many lives; her smile and her presence will be forever missed.
Ruth is survived by her loving husband of 52 years, George Mazzarella; her daughter, Peggy Riggio (Keith); her son, John Mazzarella (Beth); her granddaughters, Kaitlyn and Jillian; her grandsons, George and Joel; her brother, Chris; her sister, Kitten; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
A viewing will be held from 5 to 7 p.m., Monday, June 12, at Parsell Funeral Homes, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, 16961 Kings Hwy., Lewes. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m., Tuesday, June 13, at St. Jude the Apostle Church, 152 Tulip Drive, Lewes, where family and friends may visit beginning at 10 a.m. Burial will be held privately.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions in Ruth’s memory to American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 6704, Hagerstown, MD 21741, cancer.org.
Visit Ruth’s Life Memorial webpage and sign her virtual guestbook at parsellfuneralhomes.com.
