Betty Darlene (Rodgers) Ruggiero, 91, Altoona, went to be with her God and Savior on Monday, October 24, 2016 after a long and courageous battle with cancer. She was born October 21, 1925 in New Oxford, PA, the daughter of Earl and Nellie (Bly) Cooley.

She was preceded in death by her parents, and first husband Robert Rodgers. Betty is survived by her loving and devoted husband Dominic Ruggierio; sister Elsie Bixler of Hanover, PA; son Ronald Rodgers of Portage; daughter Betty Nash of Clearwater, FL; son Robert Rodgers II of Williamsport, PA; stepsons Mark Ruggiero and Jeffrey Ruggierio both of Mechanicsburg, PA; former daughter-in-law Michelle Rodgers, Portage; son-in-law Kevin Looney, FL. Grandchildren: Breanne Rodgers of Hollidaysburg; Jordan and Austin Rodgers both of Portage; Robert Rodgers III, Patti Sivirockus, and Kevin Rodgers all of California; Toni-Lisa Keiser of Oregon; Holly Rodgers of Williamsport, PA; David and Shannon Nash both of Altoona. She is also survived by numerous great-grandchildren and nieces and nephews.

Betty was an accomplished musician who could play the accordion, organ, piano, electric guitar, Hawaiian guitar, and ukulele. She retired from the former Hollidaysburg State Hospital as Music Director, Betty taught countless people how to play numerous instruments. She was a member of St. Therese of the Child Jesus Catholic Church.

Friends will be received Wednesday, October 26, 2016 from 2 to 4pm and 6 to 8pm at the Santella Funeral Home where a vigil for the deceased will be held. A Funeral mass will be celebrated at 10am on Thursday at Saint Therese of the Child Jesus by Father D. Timothy Grimme. Committal at Calvary Cemetery, Altoona.