Maureen (O'Neill) Ruscetti of Brookline, Newton, Franklin and Popponessett Beach on Cape Cod, passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 15th, 2017, surrounded by her family, after a courageous battle with complications from type-1 diabetes mellitus, dysphasia and multiple strokes. She was born in Brookline on October 15, 1947, the daughter of Carroll O'Neill and Marjorie Ross. Maureen was an active and well-loved graduate of Brookline High School, Class of 1965, and attended the University of Massachusetts, Amherst in pursuit of her BA. She was a student of life with a renaissance soul, a fierce advocate for the rights of the underdog whether person or animal. Welcoming all to her world of arts and humanities, poetry and music, gourmet cooking and eating, she was also a gifted photographer, avid sketcher, devoted singer in the Sunday choir, staunch equestrian competitor with trusted mount Aja and loving guardian of all children. She believed children were God's gift to the family and could be seen doing the "Snoopy Dance" on the lawn celebrating every newborn. Everybody loved Maureen. Nobody more so than Her Bob, devastated husband of 33 years, who must now walk the land without her by his side. Bob freely admits marrying way out of his league, Beloved son, Jonas Driscoll and wife Kerry, daughter Maddison, son Jack and Grandpa Mike of Sharon. Jonas has lost his greatest teacher and best friend. She is also survived by her siblings, sister Susan Yas and her husband "Sol" of Easton, sister Marjorie Clapprood and her husband Christopher Spinazzola of Boston, brother John R. O'Neill and his wife Martha of No. Attleboro, sister-in-law Barbara Sperrazza and family of Halifax and brother-in-law Frank Ruscetti and wife Sandra of Carlsbad, CA. Further survived by countless (grand) nieces, (grand) nephews, other relatives and friends. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday January 20, 2017 at 10:00 AM in St. Mary of the Assumption Church, 5 Linden Pl., Brookline. Visiting hours will be held in the Bell-O'Dea Funeral Home, 376 Washington St., Brookline on Thursday January 19th from 3:00 7:00. Interment will be private. There will be a memorial celebration of Maureen's life this coming summer on Cape Cod, which was Maureen's wish, details to come. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Maureen's name to the Joslin Diabetes Center One Joslin Place, Suite 745 Boston, MA 02215