Marion Nancy Ruocco (nee Treadwell)  was born in Bangor, Maine on November 20 ^th of 1928 to Glenora Jane Margaret Tweedie Treadwell and Earl A. McGowan Treadwell. From her father, she inherited her love of horses & music, and from her mother, a lifelong, enthusiasm for all things Scottish, and the ability to make legendarily wonderful homemade bread.

Soon her three brothers joined the family: Richard, Douglas, and Gordon. They would be the first to tell you how much their sister "Diddy" helped to raise them, protect them, and love them. She was also the creative director for neighborhood plays she convinced them to take part in. It was a skill she'd use again with her own children and grandchildren. Stray cats and dogs were always finding their way to her, and somehow followed her home. Growing up, her cousin, Patricia Brackett Joseph, came to live with Diddy's family and has always been regarded by Diddy as a sister.

Diddy's early school experience led to her 4 ^th grade acquaintance with a scamp named Peter Anthony Ruocco, who made the occasion notable by sticking her ponytail in the inkwell in his desk. We believe he was laying claim to the girl who became his wife of 66 years. His earnest pursuit of her led to his arranging a double date with friends Ruthie and Johnny, where Diddy came with Johnny and Pete was with Ruthie. At the end of the date, Pete dropped Ruthie off first, Johnny off second, and then spent a couple of hours talking with Diddy. After that, they were never apart. They married on June 21 ^st , 1952.

She was a huge animal lover, and made sure that her three children: Lynda, Patti, and Peter, got the chance to have riding lessons, as well as piano lessons, a host of other activities, and, of course, a dog. While living in Andover, Massachusetts she became the most popular Girl Scout Troop leader in the area, not only helping the troop to earn countless badges, but seeing to it that they made gumdrop trees for the local seniors and hospital – and entertained those groups with Christmas carols. Her two great friends in Andover were Claire Doyle and Doris Bangert. Claire was an assistant leader with the Girl Scout troop as well. Their children were friends of Diddy's children too.

Diddy's other great gift to her children was sharing her enduring love for reading. She took them on frequent trips to the Memorial Hall Library in Andover, which later became a source of inspiration for her daughter Patti to become a professional librarian.

Both Pete and Diddy also share an abiding love for the state of Maine. Even after events led them to move to Naperville, Illinois they returned to Maine every summer to the cottage on Beach Hill Pond owned by both Treadwell's and Ruocco's. Diddy's specialty there was to make every kid on the lake a "Ski King Cake" when they successfully stayed up on water skis around the lake's cove.

In Naperville, Diddy was an active member of the Naperville Garden Club, the editor of the Century Hill Newsletter, and a part-time employee in Sears' catalog sales department. She supported every organization at Benet Academy that all three children attended and, as in Andover, hosted the extended family Christmas dinners – which were always preceded by a full birthday party (with games, treats, and cake) for Patti whose birthday fell two days before Christmas.

Diddy's son Pete picked up cooking skills from his mother, who made all three kids incredible birthday cakes. Pete once had a Tonka Truck cake – the dumpster dumped and the wheels turned around! Diddy was always very proud of Pete's military career and his becoming a Navy Captain, but was even more deeply pleased for the man and father he has become. He and his wife Becky added another shining star to the family tree when Petey (Peter III) was born. He too plays the piano and loves animals.

As proud as she always was of her elder daughter Lynda's scholastic accomplishments (National Honor Society, Illinois State Scholar, Dean's list and J.D.) she and Peter were thrilled to become grandparents to Lynda's three children: Lindsay, Matthew, and Troy.

Lindsay and Matthew both inherited her love of horses and became very successful competition riders. All three became the new players in their "Nonni's" productions outside the cottage in Maine where Nonni and "Papa" took them every summer. Over time, they too learned to sing "Down in the Meadow" and "The Man on the Flying Trapeze" as well as Nonni's favorite, self-created expressions…

Troy, in particular, has inherited her love of reading and ability to perform by becoming a late night disc jockey at North Central College. Nonni also enjoyed a good cup of joe – and Troy now has the barista skills to brew a perfect one. Matthew used his ability to be calm under pressure and his love of flight to become a pilot, currently with PSA/American airlines. Lindsay continues riding competitively and ensured the family continues to grow by marrying James Yonker and having Nonni's three great-grandchildren: Jake, Luke, and Hazel.

Nonni's watchful and caring eye is on her sons and daughters-in-law as well: her brother Dick's wife Jackie Treadwell, her brother Douglas' wife Lee Treadwell, her brother Gordon's wife Sonya, Patti's husband Greg McClure, Pete's wife, Becky Ruocco, and Lindsay's husband James Yonker. Her loving nieces and nephews include: Lisa Treadwell Purcell, Terry Treadwell Gallagher, Douglas Treadwell (II) , James Treadwell, Scott Treadwell, Joy Treadwell, Jennifer Treadwell,  Jeff Joseph, Diane Joseph, Lea Joseph, Laurie Joseph, Mary T. Joseph, Peter Joseph, Jeff Lamothe, Greg Lamothe, and their spouses and children.

All of us miss her, and hold her in our hearts, always.