Louise Zumpano Ruff, age 92, of Appleton, formerly of Sarasota, FL., died August 21, 2005 at Franciscan Care & Rehabilitation Center in Appleton, WI after an extended illness. She was born July 14, 1913, in Bellaire, Ohio, the daughter of Antonietta (Corapi) and Serafino (Sam) Zumpano, who emigrated to the U.S. from Italy. She was the widow of Commander Robert R. Ruff, USN Ret. who died in 1974.

Louise grew up in Bellaire, Ohio, living above the family grocery store where she worked with her parents, two brothers and two sisters. As a child she attended St. John Catholic Church, was active in the Girl Scouts and spent time with family in Italy. As a young woman, while working and studying in Washington, D.C. she met her future husband, Robert. They were married in Bellaire at St. John's on her father's birthday in 1939. At the time, she was working in government service at the Navy Department; he was on sea duty with the Navy. As a young Navy wife during the war, while Robert was aboard ship, Louise traveled as needed to greet and see him off wherever he docked. After the war, his shore duties allowed them to live together, raise a family, and make their home in suburban Washington. She and the children accompanied him on a four year tour of duty to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where she continued her studies, immersed herself in the Brazilian culture, and worked to establish a Girl Scout troop. When the Navy reassigned Robert to the D.C. area, she resumed her government service there until retirement when they moved to Sarasota, FL.

Louise lived a long and happy active life. She enjoyed reading good mysteries, dancing, working in the kitchen, growing, arranging and sharing flowers, corresponding, traveling to distant places, collecting art, playing bridge, going to Mass, watching sunsets and talking with the "Man Upstairs." An eager student of diverse cultures and languages, she became especially fluent in Portuguese. She served in many church groups at both Holy Redeemer Church in Kensington, MD, and Incarnation Church in Sarasota, FL. She also belonged to the Kensington (MD) Women's Club, the Westwood Hills (CA) Women's Club and the Brentwood-Belaire (CA) Women's Club. During the course of her government service, she worked as an administrative assistant at the Commerce Department, Atomic Energy Commission, National Aeronautics and Space Administration and National Institutes of Health. After Robert's death, she traveled the globe making new friends, living in Beverly Hills, CA and Appleton, WI, before returning to Sarasota. Following a severe stroke in Nov., 2004, she moved back to Appleton to be closer to family. She will be remembered for her fabulous cakes, theme parties, high heeled sparkly dancing shoes, dramatic gestures, interesting costumes, famous hugs, late night talks, and her ability to have a conversation with anyone in any language about anything.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Robert, her sister, Frances L. (Zumpano) Butler, and her brothers, Fred and Albert Zumpano. Survivors include her sister, Florence O'Bryant, Jacksonville, N.C., her daughter, Mary Louise (Tom) Hildebrandt, Appleton, her son, Robert G. (Annie Benjamin) Ruff, New York, N.Y., and her grandchildren, Madeleine Ruff, New York, N.Y., Colleen (John McFarland) Long, Patrick Long, of Chicago, Sheila (Rodrigo Grion) Long, Kevin (Peggy) Long, Elizabeth Hildebrandt, Milwaukee and Eileen (Eric) Speidel of Cincinnati. Other survivors include her six great grandchildren, Mary Ellen, Molly and Katie Long, Daniel and Chris McFarland and Sean Speidel, her nieces, Frances A. (Stan Rubin) Butler and Roberta (Larry) Richardson, and her good friends, Kathleen Karel, Kathy Yarger, and Vernon and Virginia Bass.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, August 23, 2005 at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, 1810 N. McDonald St., Appleton from 10:00 A.M. until the time of the Mass of the Resurrection which will be celebrated at 11:00 A.M.

The family wishes to express their thanks to the cheerful caregivers on Unit 1 at Franciscan Care and Rehabilitation Center in Appleton, WI, for their many kindnesses and the Beneva Park Club Staff, Sarasota, Florida for Louise's many happy years there.

According to her wishes, Louise will be buried at sea. A memorial has been established to benefit the Disabled American Veterans.