Janis E. (Ziolkowski) Ruggiero, 80, of North Tonawanda and formerly of Utica, NY, departed this life on Sunday August 30,2026 at the North Gate Health Care Facility in North Tonawanda, NY.

Janis was born in Buffalo, NY the daughter of the late Thaddeus (Ted) and Amelia Kopczynski Ziolkowski she was educated there and transferred to Utica, NY where she attended UFA High School graduating in 1964.

On July 2, 1966 she was united in marriage to Richard Ruggiero and maintained that loving commitment until his passing in 2014.

Janis worked as a secretary for Dr. Thomas Ryan, Dr. Ted Gaffney and was lastly employed as secretary with UFCW.

She also belonged to The Daughters of Columbus, The Business and Professional Women's Club and The Democrat Women's Club.

She will be sadly missed by her cousins Jack Kopczynski and his wife Carol of North Tonawanda NY and their children John and Kevin (Jeffie) Kopczynski and brother Michael Kopczynski of Wesley Chapel, Florida and his daughter Karen (Ian).D’Sousa and their children. Her sister in law Elaine Ruggiero Altamuro and her nieces Shari ( Mike )Vigneau; Tricia ( Michael ) Cohen, Tammy Ruggiero, Gina Vici; nephews; Marc Altamuro, William Ruggiero, Tom Ruggiero III; great niece and nephews; Brittany Bonner, Connor Vigneau , Evan Vigneau, Rocco ( Ashley) Ruggiero.

Janis’s Celebration of life will be held at Mary, Mother of Our Savior Parish, 2222 Genesee St. Utica, NY on Monday September 14, 2026 at 12 noon where a mass of Christian burial will be celebrated. She will be laid to rest next to her husband at Christ Our Savior Mausoleum Calvary Cemetery, Utica,NY (upper chapel). Arrangements are under the guidance of John L Matt Funeral Home,Chadwicks,NY. To send an online message of sympathy go to: www.johnlmattfuneralhome.com