Obituary of Pierina DeMarinis

Pierina Carmela Ruta was born in Rocca Spromonte, Italy, Provincia di Campobasso on February 15, 1933 to Maria Corsilli and Francesco Ruta. She had older siblings Rosalbina, Guerrino and Luisa. In 1950, at the age of 18, she left Italy with her mother to join her father and brother in McKeesport, Pennsylvania. Her niece, Livia, married Gino in Montreal, Canada. Gino had four brothers and Pierina married Antonio DeMarinis in Montreal on August 1, 1959. They moved to Flushing, New York.

In December of 1960, their first child, Maria( Nicholas Smilios), was born and in May of 1962, their son, Anthony(Antoinette) was born. Pierina lived a Christian life and never missed Sunday mass and she prayed the rosary. She was devoted to St. Anthony and named her son after him. Family, friends and laughter were paramount in her life. A big smile always graced her face as well as an exuberant and contagious laugh. Her cheeks were rosy and her skin was smooth as silk.

Her favorite pastime was spending time with her five grandchildren: Nicholas (Rita), Anthony, Christopher, Alicia (Nicholas DiFilippi) and Lucas. They spent many weekends and days in the summer at Manorville on Grandpa Tony’s Christmas Tree farm. Here, the children learned to plant and harvest vegetables, have fun in the sun and eat great food. Nonna’s meals were superb including meatballs, homemade pasta, chicken cutlets and desserts galore. Traditions, such as, making bushels of homemade tomato sauce, homemade wine and sausage brought the family together.

Pierina greeted her grandchildren when they returned home from school on many occasions while their mother, Maria, worked. Although Pierina had a license to drive a car, her husband, Tony, drove everywhere they went. They were always together shopping, bowling, visiting their grandchildren, family and friends. They lived a perfect life together until Tony passed in 2016.

Dementia slowly progressed over a period of 14 years. Pierina was blessed to have phenomenal care givers, 24 hours a day. Although Maria and Anthony visited each day, the caregivers Barbara, Fabiola, Sharon, Magda and Gracy were loving, caring and treated her like their own mother. Her 90 years were spent with love, dignity and a giving heart. She will always live in the memories of her loved ones.