Mrs. Delida Jean Rager

Delida Jean Vinciguerra Rager, born December 17, 1927 in Rochester PA, lived to be 92 years old at the time of her death on August 16, 2020. She died after living her last 3 years at Silverado Memory Care Center in Southlake, TX, where she received exceptional care along with the love and devotion of her family, making her final years happy and content.

Our mother Delida moved from Rochester, PA, to join our father, Richard Marvin Rager, in Dallas, Tx after he went Southwest looking for and finding more opportunities. This was a courageous move for our mother who had lived her first 38 years in a small Italian-American community. She was the daughter of Tom Vinciguerra, an Italian immigrant who came to America also in search of opportunities, and, mother, Anna Vinciguerra, both long time deceased. Also deceased is her only brother Steve, survived by his wife Gloria. Along with the move to Texas Delida brought sons Jim, Richard and Michael and only daughter Jean. Our brother David was born a year later in Texas. Delida raised her 5 children in the Catholic tradition being a devout Catholic all her life.

Our mother made many personal sacrifices throughout the early years bringing up her children. But regardless, she always had the most attractive hat and dress for church on Sunday and her beauty was admired by all. Later in life she pursued her love of dancing, singing and music, becoming an impressive ballroom dancer at the age of 60. In her later years while confined to a wheelchair, music brought a spark to her life and she could often be observed dancing with her arms and hands as soon as the music began. She still enjoyed life to the very end.

When her grandchildren were asked what their favorite memories of their grandmother were, the response was: “She was fearful of driving but would muster the courage to go ballroom dancing at the Four Seasons ballroom 25 miles away,” “Always the most beautiful grandmother at Grandparent’s day,” “She never yelled or was mean EVER,” “She always let me play dress up in her expensive gowns and high heels,” “She always gave the best gifts and wrapped them beautifully,” “Great dancer,” “Great style,” “Always glamorous,” “ She always made me feel really special,” “Cutest laugh,” “Kindest heart.” This was our mother and grandmother to a T.

Delida is survived by all her children, Jim (Yola), Jean (Richard), Richard (soon Lisa), Michael, David (Joy) and grandchildren, Cristal, Eric, Sophie, Brandon, Richard lll (Tre), Stephanie, Jonathan, Joyce and Wendy, Angela, Ryan. She has 14 great grandchildren.

We will miss her enthusiastic greetings when we visited her. She would be so genuinely happy to see us and would give up whatever music or entertainment was provided by the facility to focus on her family because we always came first. There will be a great longstanding void without her. We love and miss her so much already our hearts are breaking.

The memorial service will be delayed until the Covid-19 pandemic is contained and when all family members can be present.

We request that gift donations be made to Silverado Caregivers fund because they were our heroes to the end. We can never show enough gratitude for all the endless love and great care provided. She loved all staff and they loved her just as much in return.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/silverado-southlake-caregivers-fund