Mme Ruby Di Staulo Massarelli

Ruby (DiStaulo) Massarelli, born June 15, 1929 (Montreal) died May 27, 2023 (Valleyfield) age 93; a beautiful life. Predeceased by beloved husband of 65 years, Tony, (2020) with whom she raised 4 children.

Youngest child of the late Giuseppi Antonio DiStaulo and Carmella Fasciano, predeceased by 8 siblings: Jim (Lucy); Filomena (Antonio); young Frank; Lina(Sam); Frank(Lucille); John (Marie-Paule); Mary (Ricky); Becky (Sammy); and several siblings-in-law; Frank, Judy; toddler Anna; Nick, Armand, John, Paul, Peter; niece Louise.

She will be missed by children: Elizabeth (Ross), Lewis (Lydia), Mark (Andrea), Tim (Tania), grandchildren: Vanessa, Justin (Antoine), Alex (Alana), Rena (Lucas), Sara (Emily), Julyen, Jonathan, Lia, Islay, great-grandchildren: Pete, Olyver, Lael and Neve Rubina; sisters-in-law: Louise Gagnon (Frank-deceased); Mary (Nick deceased); Claudette (Armand-deceased); Fernande (John-deceased); Evelyn (Paul-deceased); Anna (Peter-deceased); special nieces and nephews and by her large extended family and friends.?

Ruby was a member of Fabre Street Italian Pentecostal Church, where her dad was an early minister.?She learned at an early age to trust God with her life and she depended on Jesus for strength to her very end. She sang in the choir and taught Sunday School. She attended Nesbitt School, often reminding us that she excelled in climbing ropes and ladders in gym class. She left school early to join the workforce, as a book-keeper. She caught the eye of Tony, her good friend Mary’s kid brother, who became the enduring love of her life, marrying him in 1955. Their long, tender relationship was an inspiration to all of us.

Ruby left her paid work to care for her family. She was an extraordinary mother, extending her mothering beyond the four she birthed - grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, extended family (including her live-in widowed mother Carmella) and community members. She was a beloved lunch monitor at the local elementary school. She loved babies and children of all ages. Her great joy was spending time with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

She was always ready to prepare a delicious meal at short notice. She modeled how to host big chaotic family dinners, feeding bodies with delicious food, nurturing hearts with abundant love. When she began to lose her memory, she’d say, “I can’t remember your name, but I know that I love you and that you belong to me”.

We will miss Ruby, our beloved matriarch with her beautiful smile and loving generous heart. May she rest in peace.

Visitation Saturday June 3rd, 5pm to 8pm, Les Espaces Memoria, Laval, from where a memorial service will be held Sunday June 4th, 11am. Burial Monday June 5th 11:30am Rideau Gardens. For those unable to attend, the memorial service will be live-streamed. In lieu of flowers, consider donations to Heart and Stroke Foundation or Alzheimer’s Society. 

La diffusion en direct des funérailles débutera le dimanche 4 juin 2023 à 11h