Vilma M. (Roffo) Rufo

Brighton, MA - Vilma M. (Roffo) Rufo of Brighton, 93, passed away peacefully on April 2, 2024.

Vilma was preceded in death by her loving husband Joseph Gerard “Jumbo” Rufo, her sister Leda (Roffo) Aylward, and brothers, Angelino Roffo, Onelio Roffo, and Daniel Roffo. She is survived by her beloved sons Gerard Joseph of Boston, Alfred Vincent, Joseph Gerard, Jr. and his wife Gloria, Paul and his wife Judy, all of Brighton, Michael of Braintree; treasured grandchildren, Stephanie Marie, Joseph Gerard III “JoJo”, Gabriela Louise, Paul Jr. “PJ”, Kadi Lee, Michael Reed, and Alexander Joseph; as well as many cherished nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends.  

Born on December 11, 1930, Vilma was the daughter of Fortunato and Maria (Cenci) Roffo. She was proudly Italian; her family having originally moved from San Donato, Italy to the United States. Vilma was raised in Quincy, MA, sharing a room with her sister and best friend, Leda, and attending Quincy High School where she was a cheerleader and her favorite subject was arithmetic, leading her to eventually become a biller at C. Pappas food stores in South Boston. 

Vilma grew up going to Italian picnics where she met her future husband Joseph Gerard “Jumbo” Rufo, and after returning from the Army where he served for two years during the Korean War, Vilma and Jumbo married in the event of the century on January 16, 1955. Married for 58 years, they loved summers in Hampton Beach, winters in Naples, FL, and endless adventures, traveling the world together - from Germany and England, Italy to California, Hawaii, and unforgettable trips to Las Vegas. 

Vilma was an active golfer and member of the Oakley Country Club in Watertown, MA, a devout Catholic, attending mass each weekend, and a gifted maker - she handknit countless sweaters and Afghan blankets for every baby born in her orbit, and there wasn’t a family party that didn’t have a platter full of her homemade Italian cookies, famous blueberry bread, and so much more. Most importantly, Vilma was an incredible host and cook - her home was a center for entertaining. The door on Nantasket Ave was always open and food was always ready.  

She leaves behind a legacy centered around the importance of family and will be dearly missed. 

Funeral will be from the Lehman, Reen & McNamara Funeral Home 63 Chestnut Hill Ave (nr. Brighton Courthouse) BRIGHTON on Monday April 8th at 9:30am. Followed by a Funeral Mass in St. Columbkille Church 321 Market Street at 10:30 am.  Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend. Interment St. Joseph Cemetery, West Roxbury. Visiting Hours on Sunday April 7th from 2-6pm pm in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Vilma may be made to the St Jude Children’s Hospital 262 Danny Thomas Place Memphis, TN 38105.

For directions and a guest book please visit www.lehmanreen.com.

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