A real life angel. Strong, happy, & kind until the end. Nothing will ever be the same for her loved ones without her around. Eva lived a life of compassion & altruism, traits that she instilled in her son & grandson. Born in Austria in 1943, Eva moved to the United States around the age of 23. While studying Art abroad in Rome, Italy, she met her first husband Gene Ruggiero. Both her and Gene pursued careers in Film editing in a time where film reels were physically cut & merged together to create the final picture for theatres. Gene would go on to become an Academy Award winning editor, while Eva would be accredited with editing over 7 films from major studios with the most well known being Stripes, starring Bill Murray.

Ambitious and hardworking, Eva attended and graduated from the University of Southern California while also being a full-time film editor. She was awarded the Student Academy Award at the USC school film festival for a Christmas movie she both wrote & directed. The film starred a young Paul Walker.

In her later years she decided to move from Los Angeles to Utah to care for her grandson Franz. Without Eva, Franz would not have a mother. She provided a level of care that goes far beyond the standard for any parent. She acted as a teacher, a mentor, and a source of nurturing, inspiration, and wisdom.

In her final years she lived with Franz where he provided full time care, the same care that she showed him when she was younger. There is no greater impact that will ever be had on her grandson's life. She will live on through him, her son Rafael, her family in Austria, & her three cats. 

Funeral services will be held on Friday, April 10, 2026 at 2:00 P.M. located at Leavitt's Mortuary & Aultorest Memorial Park, 836, 36th Street, Ogden. Friends may visit with the family an hour prior to the service.