Nancy Nemia (née Annunziata Ruggiero)

Nancy Nemia, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend, passed away peacefully on September 5, 2026, at the age of 90. Born Annunziata Ruggiero on July 11, 1936, Nancy was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. She later moved to Staten Island with her family before eventually making her home in South Florida.

Nancy was a woman with a big personality and an even bigger heart. She was funny, outspoken, and very strong-willed. When Nancy entered a room, you knew she was there—and usually in the best possible way. Her family often joked that she was "always in trouble," a reflection of her spirited personality and the many stories and laughs she gave them over the years.

Nancy was both a devoted homemaker and a dedicated working woman. She worked for more than 30 years at American Express while caring for and raising her family. She took great pride in her home and, above all, in the family she and her husband, John, built together.

Nancy was the beloved wife of John Joseph Nemia, whom she affectionately called "Johnny." John, a member of the FDNY, predeceased her in December 2014. They married young and began their life together with very little, living in small apartments in Brooklyn. Yet together they built a beautiful life filled with family, love, wonderful dinners, and memorable holiday gatherings. Nancy remained deeply devoted to Johnny throughout her life and spoke of him with great love.

Family was at the center of Nancy's world. She cherished her extended Ruggiero, Bruscato, and Nemia families and loved remembering the large family dinners where both sides of the family came together. She especially treasured the traditions passed down through generations, including the old Southern Italian "cucina povera" dishes she grew up with. Nancy was a wonderful cook and took great pleasure in preparing those dishes for her family, sharing them around the table, and passing those traditions on to her children.

Nancy also loved to shop—especially for purses and knickknacks, of which she managed to collect quite a few over the years. Shopping was one of her great joys, and her family will undoubtedly remember the many purses and treasures that somehow always seemed to find their way home with her. And whenever something went missing, Nancy knew exactly who to call upon: St. Anthony.

Nancy's greatest joy, however, was her grandchildren. She adored Kristin, Alison, and John and was immensely proud of each of them. They held a special place in her heart, and she loved them beyond measure.

She was also blessed with a new and precious love in the final months of her life: her greatgrandson, Owen John, just four months old. Owen brought Nancy an extraordinary amount of joy and captured her heart from the moment he entered the family. His arrival gave her a new reason to smile, and the love she had for him was evident to everyone around her.

Nancy is survived by her daughter, JoAnna DiGioia, and her husband, Vincent; her son, Carmelo Nemia, and his wife, Valerie; her granddaughter, Kristin, her husband, John, and their son, Owen John; her granddaughter, Alison Nemia, and her partner, Nick; and her grandson, John Nemia, and his fiancée, Valerie.

Nancy was predeceased by her beloved husband, John Joseph Nemia; her father, Louis Ruggiero; her mother, Anna Ruggiero; and her beloved brother, Augustine "Augie" Ruggiero. Nancy missed Augie deeply and spoke of him often throughout her life. She was also predeceased by her beloved first cousins, Rosemary Harding and Johnny Capelli.

Nancy was a devoted Roman Catholic, and her faith was an important part of her life.

Nancy leaves behind much more than memories. She leaves behind the recipes she shared, the family traditions she helped preserve, the stories that will continue to be told, the laughter that will be remembered, and most importantly, a family who knew just how deeply she loved them.

Her family will miss her cooking, her shopping adventures, her strong opinions, her humor, her stories, and the unmistakable presence she brought into every room. Most of all, they will miss simply having Nancy there.

Her love lives on in her children, her grandchildren, and little Owen John—and in every family gathering where her recipes are prepared, her stories are told, and her memory brings everyone back around the same table.