Elena H. ''Helen'' (Barletta) Ruggiero died after a long illness in Plymouth Feb. 5th at the age of 82. She was born and brought up in East Boston, graduated from E. Boston High. She lived in Melrose for 48yrs and wintered at Light House Point in Pompono Beach Fl for many years. Helen's mother passed away at the age of 46 and Helen at age 12, helped her father raise her siblings. In 1950's Helen & her husband Dom owned and operated the Roadside Restaurant in Tewksbury. Helen & her husband Dom were married in 1938 and celebrated their 62nd wedding anniversary in Aug. 2000. They enjoyed traveling to Europe, the West Coast and Mexico. In 1995 Helen sufffered a stroke and Domenic took care of her for the next two years. After his health failed in 1998 they lived together at Hearthstone at Choate in Woburn and later at the Newfield House in Plymouth. Helen enjoyed sewing, making many of her own clothes, swimming, gardening, dancing and was a member of Incarnation Church in Melrose.She was the wife of Domenic Ruggiero. Sister of the late Mary J. Ventre, Lucy B. Cristallo, Alphonse Barletta, Phyllis Maupas. Also survived by many nieces & nephews. Funeral services will be held at Gately Funeral Home 79 W. Foster St. Melrose on Sat. Feb. 10th at 11:30 AM. Relatives and friends invited. Visiting hours will be held prior to the funeral service on Sat. morning from 10:00 - 11:30 AM.