Maria T. Ruffolo, 73, a homemaker from Willowbrook with a history of religious and civic commitment, died Sunday in Hinsdale Hospital. “My mother had a social flexibility that allowed her to enjoy the company of the society’s upper crust as well as the common person,” said her son, Terry Ruffolo. Born in Chicago Ridge, Mrs. Ruffolo was a longtime resident of Blue Island, where she and her late husband were active in local and township politics. She was an officer in Sons of Italy and sat on the advisory board of Mother of Sorrows High School in Blue Island. Mrs. Ruffolo also was a fundraiser for Blue Cap School, an institution for handicapped children. Mrs. Ruffolo’s involvement in politics came from her late husband, Salvatore, who was a Calumet Township committeeman. “She worked as an election judge and also worked in several Blue Island banks,” her son said. Mrs. Ruffolo had a keen interest in baseball and basketball and, as a young woman, found it amusing to collect the autographs of Chicago Cubs players, her son said. “She also had a huge collection of salt- and peppershakers, had sets from every state in the union,” he said. A devoted Catholic, Mrs. Ruffolo also enjoyed card games, jigsaw puzzles and crossword puzzles. “She was the ideal picture of a mother: jovial, caring, giving and supportive,” her son said. “Always willing to lend an ear, giving came naturally to her.” Other survivors include a sister, Carmel Ciscato; three brothers, Alfred, Fiore and Peter Chiappetti; and two grandchildren. Visitation will be from 2 to 9 p.m. Wednesday in Modell Funeral Home, 7710 S. Cass Ave., Darien. Services will be at 9:30 a.m. Thursday in the funeral home, with mass at 10 a.m. in Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church, 701 Plainfield Rd., Darien.
