Adele R. “Dell” (Raymond) Ravagni, 88, a longtime Tewksbury resident, passed away peacefully with her family by her side on Sunday, August 13, 2023. She was the widow of the late Conrad C. “Connie” Ravagni who passed away in 2009 after 53 years of marriage.
She was born on November 26, 1934 in Somerville, a daughter of the late Anthony Raymond and the late Cassie (Ramey) Raymond. She was raised and educated in the Somerville area, graduating from Somerville High School with the Class of 1952. Shortly after her graduation, in 1955, she married the love of her life, Connie Ravagni and they began a family together.
Dell LOVED playing cards with everyone who wanted to join in on the fun, especially her girlfriends. She won many cribbage tournaments throughout the years at the Senior Center. A trip to the casino would always bring a big smile to her face, even a bigger smile when she won. She was a gifted knitter, everyone in the family could count on an afghan from her to mark a new addition to the family or marriage. Dell also enjoyed baking, and would always bring one of her signature baked goods to gatherings, blueberry dessert, congo bars, whoopie pies, grapenut pudding, or split seconds to name a few. She worked at the phone company right out of high school where she made many lifelong friendships. Dell also held many jobs over the years in the Tewksbury and Wilmington areas but most notably worked at Mitre Corp. in Bedford for around 10 years before her retirement.
Time spent with her family and friends was what meant the most to her. Whether it be with her husband over the years, winters in Florida, cards with the girls, weekly visits to the Tewksbury Senior Center or being a mother, grandmother and great grandmother she always loved being in the company of people she loved. The value of friendship and the privilege of a meaningful social life were two things she made sure her family learned and held onto. Her legacy will be the relationships she fostered over the years, and by extension, the relationships that grew from there. She will be sorely missed by all who had the honor and pleasure of knowing her.
Dell is survived by her children, Paul C. Ravagni and his wife, Michelle, of Port Charlotte, Florida, Jane A. Beckvagni and her wife, Pamela, of Nashua, NH and Jody Kocis and her husband, Rob, of Ayer. Her grandchildren, Matthew, and Nicole Ravagni, Cassie and Olivia Gadbois, Adam Ravagni and Jenn MacDonald and her great grandchildren Mason, Malin, Emilia and Vincenzo. She is also survived by her sister in-law Marge Raymond, nieces and nephews and countless friends, including her dear friends, Elda and Dana Sanborn of Tewksbury and her "girls" Phyllis, Flo, Lisa and Mary.
She was also the sister of the late Richard Raymond, and Betty Giles.
All are welcome to attend her visitation on Monday August 21 from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. at the Tewksbury Funeral Home, 1 Dewey Street, Tewksbury, MA 01876. You are also invited to attend her funeral service at 11 a.m. at the funeral home on Tuesday, August 22 followed by a celebration luncheon. Her burial will be held privately at Puritan Lawn Cemetery in Peabody later that day, where she will be laid to rest with her husband.
Finally, in lieu of flowers and in her memory, Dell would love nothing more than for you to play some cards with family and friends, go to the casino and press your luck or just have a wonderful visit with someone and talk for a while. Please use this website or find us on Facebook to send the family your condolences.