Rita M. Ravosa

Rita M. Ravosa, beloved wife of the late Carmen D. Ravosa for 40 years, died peacefully at home in East Lyme, CT on July 1, 2025. She was previously a longtime resident of Longmeadow, MA. Rita was born in Springfield, Massachusetts on August 25, 1931 to Joseph and Jenny (Farina) Scalise, both of whom were from the Calabria region of southern Italy. She was educated in the Springfield public schools and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Education from Westfield State Teachers College. She later earned a master’s degree in English and Reading from the same institution, a love of learning she inherited from her mom and imparted to her kids.

Rita was an enthusiastic, energetic and caring teacher in school districts in Windsor Locks, CT, Wallingford, CT, East Longmeadow, MA, Springfield, MA, and Wilbraham, MA. She routinely encouraged her students to work diligently with a goal in mind so they could achieve success in whatever field they chose. Her students often performed musical and dance shows to entertain their peers and parents at school. At Wilbraham Middle School, Rita taught English and reading where she enjoyed being a member of a team-teaching group. This was her last teaching position, whereupon she retired after 40 years in service of K-8 public education.

In retirement, Rita never sat still as her desire to serve friends and the public never abated, whether it was through assistance with tasks or her excellent culinary skills. She was a volunteer with the Head Start program working first with pre-school kids and later with fourth-grade students who had reading difficulties. These experiences were personally rewarding as her students lovingly called her “Miss Rita”. She also volunteered at the consignment store of the Conservancy of Southwest Florida. The Conservancy helps protect Florida wildlife and also administers aid to injured animals. She was involved with many projects with St. John Evangelist Church (Naples, FL) serving and cooking for the Fall bazaar, which raised funds to support church projects. Given her exceptional cooking and entertaining skills, she was intimately involved with the St. Joseph’s Day banquet, baking numerous cookies and other food items served at the celebration. She loved interacting with the wonderful women in the Craft Group and greatly cherished their friendship.

When she retired to East Lyme, CT after her career in teaching, Rita performed volunteer work at Bride Brook Health and Rehabilitation Center, where she became the weekly manicurist. She eagerly looked forward to her visits where she imparted a spark of happiness and a bright smile to the many ladies who reside there. Rita, being a naturally inventive and energetic cook, was always willing to share her special treats with friends and neighbors at Giants Neck Beach. Needless to say, she was most happy in her kitchen either baking desserts and meals to please family and friends, including the myriad neighborhood kids who regularly pestered her for another round of fried dough or spent the night so they could enjoy her breakfasts and attentive morning company.

Rita was an avid seamstress who made quilts and clothes for family members. Indeed, sewing, knitting and furniture restoration were passions where she greatly enjoyed viewing the end results of such labors. Throughout her life, Rita ministered to, and assisted, numerous people. She was a humanitarian and feminist, wonderful daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, aunt and dear friend who loved spending as much time as possible with her extensive and diverse family, especially her grandchildren.

Rita was predeceased by her loving husband Carmen, her mom and dad Jenny and Joe, her brother John, and her younger son Stephen. She is survived by her older son Dr. Matthew Ravosa and his wife Dr. Sharon Stack of Baltimore, MD and Niles, MI, and her daughter, Maria Ravosa of Niantic, CT. She also leaves a granddaughter and grandsons Nico and Luca Ravosa, the latter of whom always relished the opportunity to go swimming, play games, do puzzles and enjoy their Nonie’s cooking (not so much the Hallmark movies!?!). She is survived by many cousins, nieces and nephews, her brother-in-law Richard Ravosa, and a host of friends and neighbors at Giants Neck Beach and from Western Massachusetts. We will all deeply miss her irrepressible personality, ever-present generosity, and outsized hospitable nature.

Besides these activities, Rita was a member of the Giants Neck Beach Association and the Pattagansett Women’s Club. Taking on an active role in the beach community and its maintenance, she was a longtime member of the beach and brush committee as well as the restoration committee. She took fierce pride in such efforts, working diligently to improve Giants Neck Beach any way possible. Her family, friends and neighbors have all benefitted immensely from her ebullient attitude, quick smile, and renowned Italian culinary skills.

Donations in Rita M. Ravosa’s honor can be made to: Planned Parenthood (855-789-7723; www.plannedparenthood.org) and St. Jude Children’s Hospital (800-805-5856; www.stjude.org).

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, October 18th at 11am in St. Agnes Church, 22 Haigh Ave., Niantic, CT.