SEND FLOWERS
Obituary
It is with profound sadness and loving hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved mother, grandmother, wife, and cherished member of our family Ricki Josephine Puleo, who passed away on August 15, 2026, in Wyandotte, Michigan, at the age of 78. Born on December 14, 1947, in Hazard, Kentucky, she brought warmth and joy to all who knew her.
Those who knew her will remember her most for the love she gave so freely and the importance she placed on family. Her greatest joy in life was spending time with her husband, her children, grandchildren, and the people she loved most. She treasured family gatherings, conversations, laughter, and the simple moments that brought everyone together. Her family was her greatest blessing, and the memories she created with them will remain in their hearts forever.
She had a special love for the beach and the ocean. There was something about the sound of the waves, the warmth of the sun, and the serenity of the water that brought her a sense of peace. Some of her fondest memories were made on vacations with her husband, where they could slow down, enjoy each other’s company, and simply take in the beauty around them.
Yoga and meditation also held a special place in her heart. They gave her a sense of calm, balance, and inner peace and reflected the way she wanted to live her life—with gratitude, love, and a peaceful spirit.
Above all, Ricki was a devoted Nana, finding immense joy in the company of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She loved watching them grow and cherished every moment spent with them.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Forrest and Bobbie, her sister Patti, and her mother and father-in-law, Vincenza and Vincenzo.
Ricki is survived by her loving husband of 64 years, Salvatore “Sam” Puleo. Together, they built a beautiful family, including their children Sam (Tricia) Puleo, Jamie (Sean) Guriel, and Kik (James) Machcinski. Her legacy continues through her cherished grandchildren Gino, Vinnie, Dominic (Brooklynn), Ethan, Mason, Mia (David), and Thor, as well as her step-grandchildren Ashley (Tristin) and Noah. She was also blessed with great-grandchildren Myleigh and a baby boy soon to join the family, along with step-great-grandchildren Scarlett, David, Remington, Adeline, and Avery.
Ricki is also survived by her siblings Mike, Randy, Ronnie, Chuck, Jimmy, Teresa, Debbie, and Robin, along with many loving nieces, nephews, cousins, family, and friends who will miss her dearly.
Although her absence leaves an unimaginable emptiness, her family finds comfort in knowing that her love lives on in each of them. It lives in the family traditions she helped create, in the memories of vacations and days at the beach, in the laughter shared around the table, and in the countless lessons of love and kindness she gave throughout her life.
Her greatest legacy is the love she leaves behind.
May she rest peacefully, surrounded by the serenity she found in the ocean, and may she forever be carried in the hearts of the family she loved so deeply.
