Carmelina Ravalese

Carmelina Bianchina Marra Ravalese (""Lina""), beloved Matriarch, was peacefully called home on Wednesday, February 8, 2017, at the age of 95½. Carmelina was born in Serino, Provincia di Avellino, Italy on September 10, 1921. She was the first of seven children born to Margherita and Antonio Marra. It was in that beautiful countryside of central Italy, known for its endless mountains covered in hazelnut and chestnut trees, where Lina was raised in the Catholic faith - a faith that she would carry with her throughout her life. Carmelina was educated and trained to do professional knitting, and work a loom. She learned to cultivate and farm her family's land, to cook the traditional cuisine indigenous to her region, and was a second mother to her younger siblings: Gaetanina, Salvatore, twins Emilio and Mario, Alberto, and Sylvia. Carmelina was only a young woman when World War II came to Italy. When German troops occupied the provinces, Lina and her family escaped into the mountains of Avellino for safety. It was during that difficult time that her youngest sister, only a baby, passed away from the rough conditions the family had to endure to survive. When the war ended, Dominic Ravalese, a kind man from her home town who had already moved with his family to America, returned to Italy to find a wife. Italy was still bruised from the war - its economic wounds were deep and its people, particularly those in the country, were struggling. Lina married Dominic in 1949 and, six months later, with a visa in-hand, set sail from the port of Naples for America aboard the Volcania. With a brave face, she left her parents, family, and homeland behind, for a two week journey across the Atlantic and a lifetime in America. Carmelina met her husband in New York City. She never stepped foot on another boat again. Carmelina joined Domenic and the Ravalese family in the homestead they had established in East Hartford, Connecticut. Carmelina was a supportive and faithful wife, working with Domenic on the Ravalese farms, and at the store that Domenic owned on Main Street. Together, they had four children - Michael, Marguerite (""Rita""), Sylvia, and Harry. Carmelina attended the Center School in East Hartford to learn to read and write English, which she so confidently mastered. She also proudly became an American citizen. On June 7, 1968, Lina's dear husband passed away, leaving her with four young children. It was at that time that Carmelina stepped into the role of matriarch; to both guide and support her young family. In time, Carmelina established the House of Flowers on her Main Street property, which she owned and operated with her oldest son, Michael. It was there that she developed her talents as a florist and artist - preparing arrangements for countless weddings, funerals, and special occasions. She developed a strong reputation in East Hartford and surrounding communities as a respected business woman for more than 50 years. To Lina, every customer was like family; she welcomed them with her strong Italian accent, and professionally catered to their needs. She also worked along-side her youngest son, Harry, to manage the farms. She happily saw her two daughters married and welcomed seven grandchildren to the family. Carmelina was blessed in life to be a mother, a grandmother (""Nonnie""), and a faithful servant of God. She worked hard - never comprehending the word retired - and even at times of rest had knitting needles in hand. Carmelina was grateful for the life she was able to build for herself and her future generations in America. She never forgot where she came from and prayed faithfully for everyone who came into her life. She was a devoted member of St. Mary's Church in East Hartford, and supported the work of Mother Angelica and the EWTN Network. She was loved and respected by all her Italian friends and church communities, many of whom have returned to rest with the Lord. She was a woman of grace, dignity and discipline, whose greatest joy was to be at her home, in the company of her children and grandchildren. Carmelina is survived by her loving children: Michael H. Ravalese, Marguerite M. Daigle and husband Deacon Ronald R. Daigle, Sylvia G. Miceli, and Harry A. Ravalese; and six of her seven grandchildren (in order, by age): Francesca L. Miceli, Paul A. Daigle, Carmelina B. Miceli, Ronald D. Daigle, Joseph A. Daigle, and Elizabeth S. Daigle. She joins her husband, parents, siblings, son-in-law Francesco Miceli, and granddaughter Marguerite M. Miceli, in the kingdom of Heaven. Visiting hours will be at the D'Esopo Funeral Chapel at 30 Carter St. in East Hartford on Friday, February 17, 2017 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. A funeral mass will be held on Saturday, February 18, 2017 at St. Mary's Church in East Hartford, Connecticut at 10:00 a.m. with burial to follow at St. Mary's Cemetery Mausoleum in East Hartford, Connecticut. Donations may be accepted for My Father's House in Moodus, CT.