Miriam (La Russa) Puccia

Miriam La Russa Puccia of Yonkers, New York, passed away peacefully in her home on June 18 at the age of 91.

Born to the late Ignacio and Jenny La Russa, Miriam (her family and friends called her Mimi) graduated from secretarial school and was later employed as a secretary by Conde Nast Magazines. Mimi liked getting together with the neighbors and friends to play cards, dance, and coffee with friends, or just to keep each other company. She especially looked forward to going out to eat with family members. Mimi loved children and stayed home to raise her three children, John, Robert (Bob) and Kenneth (Ken). Later in life, she especially enjoyed babysitting her young granddaughter Kimberly. Her grandchildren loved Nana’s creative storytelling including their favorite story about Tommy and the praying mantis.

Once all her children were in school, she worked for the Westchester County Department of Parks and Recreation and became the secretary to the Deputy Commissioner until she retired.  She also enjoyed working as a poll worker for the Westchester County Board of Elections at the nearby school, P.S. 29. Mimi liked playing scrabble and card games, as well as playing solitaire on her computer.  Snowflake, Ken and Debbie’s dog, always brought a smile to her face and Mimi especially enjoyed holding him.

Miriam was predeceased by her husband Peter, whom she had been married to for 35 years, her second son Robert (Bob) who passed away in 2013, and her oldest brother Joseph A. La Russa.  Mimi is survived by her sons, John Puccia (Barbara) of Clifton Park, New York, and Kenneth Puccia (Debra) of Elmsford, New York.

Mimi is also survived by 7 grandchildren, Kathleen Puccia Ramcharran (Rick) of Cranston, Rhode Island, Karen Puccia Kochel (Chad) of Richmond, VA, Laura Puccia Mokrzycki (Michael) of Fayetteville, NY, Lindsey Puccia Elkins (Barrett) of Woodstock, Georgia, Carrie Puccia Gottesman (Grant) of Austin, Texas, Kimberly Puccia of Liverpool, New York, and Alexandra Puccia of Elmsford, New York. Mimi is also survived by 8 great grandchildren- Ashton and Ava Kochel, Lena and Asha Ramcharran, Julia Mokrzycki, and Aston, Bellamy and Claudia Elkins. Mimi’s surviving siblings include Linda La Russa Daigle (Ernest), Leonard (Ray) La Russa (longtime companion, Gloria) and sister- in-law Stella La Russa.

Reposing, Hawthorne Funeral Home on Friday 4-8 PM. Funeral Mass, Our Lady Queen of Peace Chapel in the Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Hawthorne, NY on Saturday 11 AM. Entombment to follow. In lieu of Flowers, memorial contributions may be made in memory of Miriam Puccia to The Westchester Parks Foundation (www.thewpf.org).

HAWTHORNE FUNERAL HOME

21 West Stevens Ave

Hawthorne, New York 10532

914-769-4404