Jenny R. Rugani

Age 90,  was born a city girl in St. Louis, MO, a daughter of the late Attilo and Julia (Ferrari) Rossini, and passed away Dec. 9, 2014, as quietly as she had lived in Waynesburg.  Herman Rugani took her as his bride to this lovely Ohio country town where they raised their two sons, John and Joe, who gifted her with grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  Jenny was a spunky and outspoken woman of her generation who bridged the old-fashioned era of stay-at-home wives and the feminist movement, both of which she lived and managed to achieve.  Accomplished as she was in her kitchen, the opportunity to open a restaurant business was her first step into the community.  She also taught English to those who just immigrated into this country in the Adult Education Program at Sandy Valley High School.   Frances Andreini, a lifetime friend, and Jenny cooked many an Italian meal at the American Italian Club.  Every roll, ravioli and noodle was made lovingly by hand each week end.  A good number of her employees learned lessons in food management and dealing with the public under her tutelage.  Having a foot in both of these worlds (even though she never learned to drive) was a lifetime feat and worthy of praise.  Jenny would be the last one to look at her life in that grandiose way.    On a personal note, her father introduced young Jenny to baseball at Sportsman's Park, home of the St. Louis Cardinals.  She was an avid fan all her life and could remember names and stats with the best of them.  She was a member of St. James Catholic  Church.  Preceded in death by her husband of 47 years, Herman J. Rugani, on August 7, 1992, her sister, Mary Rossini, beloved grandmother, Zoe Ferrari, and a special daughter-in-law, Mary Louise Rugani.  Survived by two sons and a daughter-in-law, John Rugani, of Malvern, and Joseph and Jerri Rugani, of Mechanicstown, OH; three grandchildren and six great-grandsons, Tony Rugani, Christina and Philip Schwab, and their sons, Nolan, Brennan, and Collan, and Tanya and Steve Stout, and their sons, Silas, Grafton, and Turner; and a cousin, Joan (Simi) DeChellis.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday at 10 a.m. in St. James Catholic Church with Fr. Michael Seifert as Celebrant.  Interment in Sandy Valley Cemetery.  Friends may call Sunday 2-4 p.m. at the Finefrock-Gordon Funeral Home in Magnolia.  In lieu of flowers, contributions in Jenny's memory may be made to Community Hospice, 716 Commercial Ave. SW, New Philadelphia, OH 44663.  Condolences may be sent to: www.gordonfuneralhomes.com

Gordon (330) 866-9425