NAUGATUCK — Ruth M. Sasso, of Naugatuck, 89, passed away peacefully on July 31, 2018.
Professor Sasso was born in Bridgeport, on Dec. 9, 1928, a daughter of the late A. Nicholas and Mildred Sasso. She worked as the coordinator of early childhood education at NVCC for 28 years, where she taught many courses and supervised student teachers; she was “a teacher of the teachers.”
During her tenure at NVCC, she founded the Child Development Center. She both established and directed the NAEYC accredited center from 1977 to 1980, where she touched the lives of countless young children.
Following her retirement, Prof. Sasso volunteered countless hours in the primary grades of Naugatuck schools. She was never happier than working with the late kindergarten teacher MaryEllen Marques. She loved the Muppets, old movies, Disney, crossword puzzles, any animal and all things Broadway.
Beside her parents, she was predeceased by her beloved brother, Austin N. Sasso; and her grandnephew, Jonathan Austin Henry. Because nothing was more important to “Aunt Ruth” than family, she leaves to cherish her memory a large, devoted family, and a multitude of former students. She leaves one sister, Margaret Lagasse and husband, Normand, of Arizona, and her sister-in-law, Marie J. Sasso of Stratford.
Her beloved nieces and nephews include Nancy Sasso Janis and John Henry, David and Marcy Sasso, Jeffrey and Patricia Sasso, Mark and Kim Sasso, Christine and Dan Reuther, Timothy and Melissa Lagasse, Patrick and Maureen Lagasse, Eileen and Cary Lagasse and Maureen Ysewyn.
Her grand-nieces and grand-nephews include Nicholas Henry and his partner, Kristin Brickel, R.N, Adam and Christian Janis, Julie, Jenna, Isabelle, Juliette, James, Stephen and Austin Sasso, Brennan, Ryan and Carter Lagasse, Clark, Reid, Kellan and Grayson Ysewyn.
Calling hours will be Friday, Aug. 3, 2018 from 5 to 8 p.m. at Alderson Ford Funeral Home of Naugatuck, 201 Meadow St. Professor Sasso’s funeral will start 9:15 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 4, 2018 from the funeral home and proceed to St. Vincent Ferrer Church, 1006 New Haven Road, Naugatuck, for a Funeral Mass to be celebrated at 10 a.m. Friends are encouraged to meet directly at the church. Burial to follow at St. James Cemetery.
To view these arrangements online, share a condolence, or an online photo, visit www.fordfh.com.