Ruth Ann "Annie" Marsala Ruggles

Ruth Ann "Annie" Marsala Ruggles passed away on March 12, 2025, at the age of 61.

She was the beloved wife of Robert "Bob" Ruggles since July 2nd, 1983 and the devoted, adoring mother of Richard (Andi), Ryan (Annie Jr.), and Roger (Diana). She was the proud grandmother of Alex and Imogene, and the daughter of Imogene Armstrong Marsala and Antonio Marsala Sr. Of his grandmother, Alex said, “She was the nicest person I've ever met."

She is also survived by her brothers, Antonio Marsala Jr. and Larry Marsala (Larisa), her best friend and soul sister, Carol, and her honorary family, including Judy Ruggles, Wayne and Donna Varner, and countless others who were lucky enough to be loved by her. She will be fondly remembered by her many siblings-in-law, Sandy (Gary) Preis, Gloria (Bill) Gajewski, Debbie Ruggles, Diane (Steve) Ruggles, Donna (Jamie) Shroat, John (Kristie) Ruggles, and Lorianne (John) Dyke. Annie was the cherished cousin, friend, aunt, and honorary mother and grandmother to too many to count.

Annie had a deep love for birds, gardening, elephants, Henny Penny chicken, Westerns, and, above all, her dogs. A longtime and devoted member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Round Lake, her faith was an important part of her life. Though often in severe pain in her later years, she still found ways to be funny and show love to her family. She is remembered for her wit, her warm heart, her strong will, and her love of fuzzy slippers, pink robes, and coffee with too much cream.

Annie may have been small, but she was mighty—truly a spitfire in the tiniest package. She was even known to fit into ductwork and crawl spaces for her husband’s business, Ruggles Electric, when the job called for it.

She is preceded in death by her parents, father-in-law Robert C. Ruggles Sr., brother-in-law Michael J. Ruggles, and longtime best friend Roxanne Davidson.

A viewing will be held on Monday, March 17, from 4–8 PM, with funeral services on Tuesday morning at 10 AM. Both will be held at Warren Funeral Home, 1475 N. Cemetery Road, Gurnee, IL.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to your favorite charity supporting Lyme Disease research or the preservation and care of elephants, both causes close to Annie’s heart.