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Maria Griendl Ruocco, 88, of North Branford, beloved wife of 71 years to Charles Ruocco, followed a new path in the sky on April 3 in Branford Hills Health Care Center. Maria was born in Germany on July 10, 1928, daughter of the late Xavier and Walburga Bindheimer Griendl.

Anyone who knew Maria knew how much she loved her family. They are and always will be the center of her life

She was the mother of Linda (David) Heinig of Guilford, Lisa Ruocco of North Branford, and the late Werner Ruocco. She was the grandmother of Christina (John) Vanacore, Christopher Iovene, Michael (Melissa) Ruocco, Mathew Ruocco, and Beth Iovene. She was the great-grandmother of Dylan and Brandon Iovene, Patrick and Sarah Vanacore, and Corinne, Ashlen, and Madelyn Ruocco; and the sister of Anna Rother of Germany and the late Krista and Joseph Griendl. She was the mother-in-law of Bonnie Ruocco.

Her funeral procession will leave the Porto Funeral Home, 234 Foxon Rd. (Rte. 80), East Haven, April 7 at 11:00 a.m. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated in St. Augustine Church at 11:30 a.m. Interment will be private. Friends may call April 7 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 200 Executive Blvd., Southington, CT 06489. For an online obituary or to sign Maria’s guest book, visit www.portofuneralhomes.net.