Ilda Rucci

AUSTINTOWN - Ilda M. Rucci, 77, passed away Saturday morning at Briarfield Manor.
Ilda was born May 8, 1939 in Italy, a daughter of the late Giovanni and Lucia (Parente) Zeoli. Ilda owned Mamma Rucci Restaurant on Youngstown's West Side for 25 years. The restaurant touched many lives, from those that worked there, to those that came for her homemade bread and pizza. She loved cooking, sewing, and dancing for which she won multiple dance contests. She was an excellent seamstress and was known for creating her own Italian dance outfits.
Ilda's greatest love was her family, especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Ilda leaves her three children, Cristina (Domenico) D'Angona of Canfield, Marge (Paul) Nelson of Mineral Ridge, and Sebastian (Linda) Rucci of Austintown/Poland; nine grandchildren, Sara (John Craig) Nelson, Sonia (Eric) Alfeld, Susie Nelson, Victor (Mia) Rucci, Anthony D'Angona, Michelle Rucci, Angela Rucci, Victoria Rucci, and Matteo Rucci; seven great grandchildren, Dominic Alfeld, Vincent Alfeld, Lucy Craig, Sammy Alfeld, Nicholas Alfeld, Annie Craig, and Corinna Alfeld; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Ilda was preceded in death by her husband Vittorio Rucci who had his own construction business in town for decades and passed away two years ago. Ilda was also preceded in death by her two sons, Fabio and Natale Rucci and her brother, Michele Zeoli of Youngstown and her three sisters, Emilia, Marietta, and Consiglia.
Ilda retired after an unfortunate stroke; however, this did not dampen her love for people. She remembered names of everyone she met, including their birthdays and the names of their children. Ilda loved people and made numerous friends wherever she went. In recent years, she enjoyed spending time at the racino and dining at her family's California Palms Hotel in Austintown. Mama Rucci will be dearly missed by many, especially her family.
Family and friends may call Thursday from 4 to 7 pm at Higgins-Reardon Funeral Homes, Austintown Chapel. Following the calling hours there will be a "Celebration of Mamma Rucci's Life" at 7 pm at the California Palms Hotel in Austintown. Ilda's favorite band, the Originals, will perform. Food and drinks will be provided, and plenty of Mama Rucci stories will be shared with everyone.
Mama Rucci enjoyed people and she will pass with warm stories of her legacy and the impact of her business and the businesses of her husband, children and in-laws. Ilda will be missed by many, especially her children and grandchildren, and the lives of those she has touched. Come celebrate her life Mama Rucci style.