Ruth F. (White) Paolicelli

Mrs. Ruth F. (White) Paolicelli, of Waltham, passed away peacefully at Newton Wellesley Hospital after a lengthy illness on Friday, July 25, 2025. She was 92.

Ruth was born in Cambridge on December 14, 1933 a daughter of the late Dominic J. and Agnes F. (McCarthy) White. She was raised in Watertown where she graduated from Saint Patrick High School. On May 15, 1955 she married Vincent F. Paolicelli Sr. in Saint Patrick’s Church in Watertown and they later moved to Waltham to raise their children.

Ruth had a twenty-year career as a clerk in the Newton District Court House. She loved spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She thoroughly enjoyed her frequent trips with her husband and friends to Foxwoods, Atlantic City and Las Vegas.

She leaves behind her children, Linda M. LaCava and her husband, Bud LaCava of Waltham, Vincent F. Paolicelli Jr. of Billerica, and Michael A. Paolicelli of Waltham; her grandchildren Kara LaCava and her husband, D.J. Murray, Jenna LaCava, Dana Fenton and her husband, Mak Fenton, Matthew Paolicelli, Gabriella Paolicelli, Cory Rufo and her husband, Dan Rufo, and Jack Paolicelli. She also leaves behind five great grandchildren Daniel, Stella, and Vinny Rufo, and Nala and Mali Fenton.

She was predeceased by her husband of 56 years, Vincent, and her son Leonard M. Paolicelli. She was also predeceased by her brothers, Robert and Donald White, and her sister, Doris DeStefano.

Family and friends will honor and remember Ruth’s life by gathering for a Wake in the Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main St (Route 20) Waltham on Monday, July 28th from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. and again on Tuesday morning at 9:30 before leaving in procession to Saint Jude’s Church, 147 Main Street, Waltham where her funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Burial will follow in Mount Feake Cemetery, Waltham.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Opportunities for Inclusion (formerly G.W.A.R.C.) 56 Chestnut St., Waltham, MA 02453 or https://www.oppsforinclusion.org/