December 29, 1929 — January 31, 2026
Monica M. Ruff, 96, peacefully joined our Lord on Saturday, January 31, 2026, surrounded by her loving family. She was the devoted wife of Edward Ruff (deceased in 2011), with whom she shared a blessed 59-year marriage and raised eight children.
Born on December 29, 1929, in Elizabeth, New Jersey, Monica was the eighth of nine children born to Francis and Elizabeth Brisson. She was raised and educated in Elizabeth, attending local parochial schools and St. Catherine’s Church, where she would later be married. After graduating and completing two years of business school, she worked in New York City as a legal secretary before beginning the life chapter that mattered most to her—family. Her closest sibling, Sr. Elizabeth Francis (Mary), a lifelong Dominican nun, passed in 2025, leaving Monica as the last surviving member of her immediate family.
Monica met the love of her life, Ed, on Belmar Beach, NJ on July 29, 1951—famously impressed by his hand-walking gymnastics. They married on November 8, 1952, honeymooned in Florida, then moved to Texas for Ed’s work before settling in Reading, Massachusetts, where they raised their family. Later in life, after retirement, they moved to Tewksbury, Massachusetts.
Monica embraced life with great joy and enthusiasm. She loved water skiing, snow skiing, square dancing, singing in the St. Agnes choir, and volunteering with Hospice Home Care. Above all else, her greatest passion was her faith, her husband, and her children.
She is survived by her children: Frank E. Ruff, Dan T. Ruff and his wife Susan, Noreen E. Ruff and her wife Nancy Pringle, Michelle M. Traverse, son-in-law late Christopher Traverse, Patrice E. Ruff-Burbine and her late husband Skip, Jim W. Ruff and his wife Sharon and Tom J. Ruff and his wife Melissa. She was preceded in death by her son Paul Ruff (1993) and husband Ed (2011) and her siblings Mary Brisson, Robert Brisson, Charles Brisson, John Brisson, James Brisson, Francis Brisson Jr., Richard Brisson and Catherine Martin. Monica also leaves behind 14 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, and many beloved nieces and nephews across the country.
Monica was well-known for her constant smile, kindness to all, and deep love for God and the Church. We take comfort knowing she has been welcomed into Paradise by the Lord and all those Loved Ones who went before her. She will be dearly missed and forever cherished by all.
Family and friends are cordially invited to gather and share memories with Monica’s Family on Wednesday, February 4th form 5-7pm in the Doherty – Barile Family Funeral Home, 11 Linden Street READING. Parking attendants and elevator are available.
Funeral from the Doherty – Barile Family Funeral Home, 11 Linden Street READING on Thursday, February 5th at 9:30am followed by a Funeral Mass Celebrating Monica’s Eternal Life in Saint Agnes Church, 186 Woburn Street Reading at 10:30am. Interment Charles Lawn Memorial Park, Reading.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making donations in Monica’s memory to Sawtelle Hospice House by referring to Sawtelle Family Hospice House
