92, of Cranston passed away on Friday January 12, 2018 at the Scandinavian Nursing Home in Cranston, R.I.  She was the beloved wife of the late Frank Ruggieri. Born on March 4, 1925 in Erlangen, Germany she was the daughter of the late Jakob and Sofie Brehm.

Elisabeth worked at the Nuremburg Trials for the American Government as an Administrative Assistant where she met Frank who was there working for the US State Department following WW II.  They were married at the St. Bonifaz Church in Erlangen, Germany on December 17, 1949.  She moved to the United States and became an American citizen at the age of twenty-seven learning to speak fluent English.

As a student, Elisabeth was involved in numerous sports including fencing, swimming, gymnastics, and skiing. As an adult, she learned to play the piano and loved to sing.  She was a devoted mother and was an accomplished cook of German and Italian cuisine.  She also loved to work in the yard and garden as well as purchase and re-finish antiques. Elisabeth traveled extensively with her late husband Frank to several European countries, Russia, China, South America, and Africa, as well as visiting her native Germany on an annual basis. Wherever Elisabeth traveled she was the center of attention and loved to laugh and live life.

Elisabeth is survived by her loving children Steven Ruggieri and his wife Miriam of Bristol, R.I. Susan Ruggieri of Cranston and Karen Sampson and her husband Alfred of Warren, R.I.  Elisabeth was also the grandmother (Omi) of six, great grandmother of two, and dear sister of the late Irmgard Schatt and Hans Brehm.  She is survived by her brother Eric Brehm of Germany.

Funeral from the NARDOLILLO FUNERAL HOME & Crematory, 1278 Park Avenue, Cranston on Tuesday at 10:00 am followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 am in St. Mary’s Church, Cranston. Burial will follow in St. Ann Cemetery, Cranston. VISITING HOURS will be held on Monday from 4:00 – 7:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Butler Hospital Foundation, Memory and Aging Program, 345 Blackstone Blvd., Providence, RI 02906-9980

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