Martha M. Rufino died peacefully in her home surrounded by her loved ones on November 15th, 2024.
Martha was born to Cosmo and Mary Giovine who came here from Molfetta, Italy
and raised their family in Hoboken, New Jersey. Martha was a graduate of the Academy
of the Sacred Heart in Hoboken and went onto having a career with Alco-Gravure as a
secretarial assistant.
Martha met the love of her life Ralph T. Rufino, Sr., when she was 15 years old
and later married on October 20th, 1962. They would go on to having three beautiful
children, Donna, Ralph, Jr., and Doneen. Martha dedicated her life to her family. Martha
continued the tradition of hosting all the holidays at her home in Hoboken and eventually
in Rutherford with all her family, extended family, and friends, providing a feast of food
(as is our Italian tradition) where all were welcome. Martha enjoyed going to Atlantic
City, vacationing in Aruba and going out to dinners (so she didn’t have to cook) with
family and friends.
Martha was truly a devoted wife and mother but will always be remembered as an
exceptional Nana to her grandchildren, Nicole, Rebecca, Nico and Deanna. Martha once
said to her children “I love my children but when I became a Nana the overwhelming
feeling that fills your heart is indescribable.” Martha’s grandchildren were her world, her
pride, her joy.
Martha and Ralph were always together, where there was one, there was the other,
they were never apart. When Martha lost her beloved Ralph 11 weeks prior to her demise,
her heart was truly broken, but her family took comfort knowing that they were always
meant to be together and that he would be waiting for her on the other end, and they
would once be together again in eternal peace.
Martha is predeceased by her husband, Ralph T. Rufino, Sr., survived by her
daughter and son-in-law, Donna and Philip Picinich, her son and daughter-in-law, Ralph,
Jr. and Maria Rufino, her daughter and son-in-law, Doneen and Nick Porta, her
grandchildren, Nicole and Cosmo Rizzo, Rebecca Picinich, Nico Porta and Deanna Porta
and her brother and nephew, Nicholas Giovine and David Giovine and a host of beloved
cousins and friends.
Visitation will be held Sunday, November 24th from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Funeral Mass will be held at St. Mary’s R.C. Church, 91 Home Street, Rutherford, on November 25th at 11:00 am.

In lieu of flowers please donate to the American Cancer Society
www.cancer.org/donate/memorial-giving.htm