Ann Rachel Pellino

Rachel Pellino, affectionately known to her family and peers as Rae, passed away on Monday, February 12, 2024 in her adopted hometown of Orlando at the age of 87. She was born November 22, 1936 in the Bronx, NY, where she was lovingly raised by her father, Louis Pellino, and her grandmother. She is survived by her children: Joanne Maisonave, Rachel Metcalf, and Louis Ferdico, her three grandchildren: Suyen Morris, Louis Ferdico, Jr. and Michael Taylor. She is preceded in death by her son, Salvatore Ferdico.

She never lost her signature Bronx accent, the product of growing up in an Italian, Catholic family that taught her the value of hard work and to be resilient in the most adverse of circumstances. Her strong work ethic was evident at an early age when she started working in a bakery as a teenager, and even worked as a secretary for a judge in the New York City court circuit, but it was her move to Orlando in 1971 that would see to fruition the greatest legacy of her career: the founding of her own transportation company, Town and Country in 1975.

Town and Country became the first woman-operated taxicab company in the city of Orlando. In her role as founder and CEO, Rae was a pioneer in modernizing the industry with her vision for a luxury transportation service that was the first to offer presidential limos. Many of the changes she implemented continue to be the model for other companies operating today. Most importantly, she was a go-getter and fearless in advocating for her business, famously involving the Federal Justice Department to secure permits against the monopoly in city taxi operations. She knew she had to be tough in man’s world, so she never put up with any nonsense and valued loyalty and commitment from all her employees. Her tenacity and leadership within the community also extended to serving as the first female president of the Rotary Club of Lake Buena Vista. An avid philanthropist, she donated funds to several charities as well as her church.

Rae was fiercely independent, raising her four children as a single mom who had to fill both parental roles. As such, she always strived to provide the best for her family. She adored her father and his wife, Yolanda, often flying them down to Orlando so they could all spend time together. Her devotion as a grandmother was second to none, and she never missed an opportunity to lovingly spoil her grandkids with gifts, take them to the office with her, and set aside every weekend for quality time with them. Her kindness also reflected in her love for animals, especially her dogs.

She enjoyed going out and having fun. We will always remember her playful nature, and we will miss her elegant presence, her strong will, her telling us to “get back to work,” her love for all things Italian, and her warm embrace.

Services to honor and celebrate her life will be held Tuesday, February 27, 2024 at 1:00pm at Holy Family Catholic Church.