Paula Ruscigno, 82, passed away peacefully at her home in Bryan, Texas on Sunday, October 15, 2017. She was born and raised in Tyler, Texas, where she graduated as a registered nurse from Texas Eastern School of Nursing. She was the first nurse to work with Dr. Jim Lindsey in his family medicine practice in Bryan, Texas. The pair of tall, slender Texans made a great team. Paula was a proficient nurse, who handled many of the responsibilities Dr. Lindsey had previously had to do himself.
Paula worked as a labor and delivery nurse for many years. She also worked in a plasma center in Hollywood, California. Paula finally landed in Corona where she and her husband Harry Ruscigno started Seatec, a company that manufactured dive equipment. Paula worked as the triage nurse and director of finance for their company; Harry was the engineer. Seatec was made famous when Hollywood canine and TV star, “Benji,” completed a dive wearing equipment that Harry designed.
Paula was a fun-loving, vivacious woman who enjoyed making people laugh. She was an active member in several organizations, including the Corona Chamber of Commerce, the Soroptimist Club of Corona, CA, and the Corona, Menifee/Sun City, and California chapters of the Woman’s Improvement Club. She was an excellent public speaker with natural leadership ability.
What Paula loved most was being with Harry. They were inseparable, whether working at the factory, scuba diving, flying planes, attending countless community and political organization functions, or spending time with their dogs, and an aviary full of birds. Paula also managed to find time to organize and make presentations at “her” clubs’ weekly meetings and yearly conferences, and she loved being the center of attention, especially at a casino with friends.
Paula is preceded in death by her husband, Harry Gilbert Ruscigno, who died in 2008, and former husband, Roy Crawford Pledger, who died in 2016. Although Harry and Roy never met, Paula always believed that they would have been the best of friends. Harry, the engineer, loved to scuba dive and fly planes. Roy was an athletic architect who played a mean game of handball and Ultimate Frisbee with his students at A&M.
Paula is survived by her sister Nancy Aguirre, Olympia, WA; her daughters Tobi Pledger (husband Bill Weber), Durham, NC; Rebecca Pledger Talley, Bryan, TX, her grandchildren, Christopher Ryan Talley (wife Nicole) Bryan, TX and Megan Elizabeth Talley (husband Rob Hockings), College Station, TX, and her great grandchildren Jesse Evan Talley and Paxton Talley Lewis.
In deference to her wishes, there will be no public ceremonies in either Texas or California. Instead, Paula would love you donate your time and/or money to your favorite community organization.
Paula’s excellent work in the De Anza Women’s Clubs District is much appreciated by all of the members of the Woman’s Club of Indio. We wish we had more women like her who are generous with their time and ideas to organize and promote the good deeds done by Women’s Clubs in Southern California. She will be missed.
Toby and Becky my name is Janis Todd Killion. My sincere condolences to your families for the loss of your mother. Paula was also my first cousin. Your grandmother,Pauline, was my dad’s, Fred Todd, sister and I have so many great memories of her growing up. I think I met Becky on one of her visits here several years ago but don’t think I ever met Toby. However I do remember when Toby was born and I used to spend the night with your mom. Think I was 9 or 10. I got to spend a few days with her and your aunt Nancy when they made a visit together to Tyler a couple of years ago and stayed with Alejan Todd who was married to Pauline’s other brother Jimmy Todd. We made some road trips and went to some of their stomping grounds and had so much fun ! I lost contact and was searching for them both through google when I found this on your mother. I would love to hear from you both when you get a chance. Jimmie and Alejan had a son who lives in Abilene and a daughter living in Mt Enterprise so maybe we could have a cousin reunion. I am so sad for your loss. Your mom was a jewel and loved by many. Our prayers are with you.
My sincere condolences Toby and Becky for the loss of your mother. She was my aunt and my dad was her brother. I loved her dearly and always looked forward to being around her although they got to be few and far between. I found her obituary while I was searching google for her and your aunt Nancy as I lost contact with them. I just wanted to extend my condolences to you and would love to hear from you both. Our prayers are with you
Janis,
Sorry we lost touch. Please contact me at godzkidz@comcast.net
Leslie
Toby and Becky,
I am so sorry to hear about Aunt Paula’s passing. She was always a bright spot in my life. Please reach out via email, I would love to stay connected.