Los Gatos Weekly-Times

Andrea Rugani

Obituaries

Andrea Rugani

Los Gatos resident and local teacher Andrea Rugani died Sept. 24 at the age of 57.

Rugani was born Sept. 17, 1941, in Oakland and went through the San Leandro school system. While in high school, she was active in cheerleading and student government, serving as student body president. Upon graduation, she received the American Legion award for Outstanding Senior Girl. In 1960, she represented San Leandro in the Miss California Pageant.

While attending San Jose State University, Rugani met her future husband, Larry, to whom she was married for 36 years. For the past nine years, Rugani was a teacher and director of student activities at Fisher Middle School.

"In that role, she has shaped the lives of many young people in Los Gatos," remembers family friend Clyde Laird. "She dedicated her professional life to working with students with the goal of helping each individual reach their maximum potential--especially in the area of leadership."

In 1997, Rugani was named a Distinguished Employee of the Los Gatos Union School District. She was passionate about fitness and ran the 1988 and '89 New York Marathons.

Survivors include husband Larry Rugani of Los Gatos; daughter and son-in-law Gina Rugani Contarino and Maurizio Contarino of Los Gatos, daughter Tova Rugani of Santa Cruz; son Dominic Rugani of San Francisco; grandson Nicholas Contarino of Los Gatos; and sister and brother-in-law Vickie and Bruce Brownlee of Santa Cruz.

A memorial celebration was held Oct. 1 at Fisher Middle School. Donations may be made to A Place for Teens, P.O. Box 1476, Los Gatos, 95031, or to the Peckler Family Scholarship Fund, 50 W. San Fernando St., Suite 400, San Jose, 95113.

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