After a long, courageous battle against cancer, Rita J. Ragaglia of Rye Brook, New York passed away on August 19th 2020, surrounded by loving family. She was 72 years old.
Born in Yonkers, NY to Anthony and Dorothy DiDomizio, Rita was one of 5 children. She was raised in the Park Hill section of Yonkers and attended P.S. 23 and Benjamin Franklin Middle School, before graduating from Commerce High School. Rita's first job was at the ATt&T phone company. She worked at the phone company for approximately seven years before working for Estee Lauder where she fulfilled her passion for style and elegance. Rita worked as an account executive for various cosmetic companies; Yves Saint Laurent, Estee Lauder, L'Oreal and later Sanofi. After retiring from cosmetics, Rita went to work for William Pitt, Julia B. Fee Sothebys International Realty as an administrative assistant for 13 years where she received the June Ruggiero Employee achievement award. To say Rita was a hard worker would be an understatement.
Rita met the love of her life Peter Ragaglia through a friendly introduction. Their first date was at the movie theatre watching Green Apples and as the saying goesâ¦the rest is history. The couple married in 1993 at their home in Pelham Manor. She raised her son Peter while working and traveling for her job.
Rita will be remembered as a meticulous, stylish and warm person. She was extremely strong and loving. In her spare time she loved to read, listen to music, travel, cook and watch movies.
Rita is survived by her husband Peter, her son Peter II, her brother James, her sisters Dorothy DiDomizio Croft and Carol (Shirley) DiDomizio. She will be missed by her many nephews, nieces and everyone she knew. Rita is predeceased by her brother Anthony.
A celebration of Rita's life will take place at the Pelham Funeral Home located at 64 Lincoln Avenue, Pelham, NY on Tuesday, August 25 from 4-7 pm. A funeral procession will leave Pelham Funeral Home on Wednesday, August 26th at 10:15 am and arrive at St. Raymond's Cemetery where Rita will be laid to rest. For more information or to leave a condolence please visit www.pelhamfuneral.com.