On Tuesday evening, September 17, 2024, Mary Ann Hamby Ruggiero lost her courageous battle with pulmonary fibrosis that she had been waging for 15 long years. She peacefully departed this world on Tuesday evening and passed on to a better place in heaven.

Maryann H. Ruggiero, a Granite Falls High School alumna, from the class of 1960, moved to Charlotte, North Carolina, where she raised a family while achieving professional excellence and academic success.

In the 1970s, Maryann found her passion for public service working for Mecklenburg County as the Fire Marshal's assistant and earned a Fire Science Technology degree from CPCC. This led to her groundbreaking role as North Carolina's first female fire inspector, a pioneering achievement nationally. Maryann would continue her academic pursuits at UNC Charlotte, earning a Bachelor's in Psychology and a Master's degree in Education, focusing on Curriculum Planning. She served as UNCC's Safety Director in the early 1980's. Maryanne later worked at Bell South and founded SouthPointe Real Estate, successfully navigating the Charlotte housing market of the 2000s.

Throughout her life, Maryann maintained ties with her Granite Falls High friends and classmates, later using her technical expertise with computers to create a social media website for the group in the 2000's. With self-acquired computer skills, she excelled in website management and photographic editing, employing Photoshop to craft exceptional artworks that placed her friends and classmates in novel and unexpected settings. Her commitment to excellence was reflected in the considerable time invested in perfecting these visual compositions.

Maryann is survived by her husband, Jim Ruggiero of Monroe, NC, her daughter, Tabitha Ruggiero of Austin, TX, her son and daughter-in-law, Jim Ruggiero Jr and Angela Ruggiero of Rock Hill, SC and daughter-in-law Jessica Barnett of Charlotte NC, son and daughter-in-law, David and Bonnie Lail, of Charlotte, North Carolina. They have two grandsons, Dekota Lewis of Austin, TX, and Alex Ruggiero of Charlotte, NC. Additionally, her legacy lives on through her granddaughter's family, Natassia and Drew Day, and their children, Cameron, Lillian, and Christian Day, residing in Port St. Lucie, Florida.

Her family and friends will miss her warm smile and dedication to excellence.

A Public Viewing will be held on Friday September 27, 2024 from 1:00pm to 3:00pm at Holland Funeral Service located at 806 Circle Drive Monroe NC, 28112.

A Graveside service will be held on Saturday September 28, 2024 from 2:00pm to 3:00pm at Forest Lawn East Cemetery located at 3700 Forest Lawn Dr. Matthews NC, 2814

Holland Funeral Service is serving the Ruggiero Family.