Carmen "Millie" Ragonese

Carmen “Millie” Ragonese Chili: Peacefully, on Saturday, October 5, 2024 at age 104. Predeceased by her husband, Frank; daughter, Patricia Bradt; sister, Ida Trovato; and brother, Frank Dee. Survived by her son, Thomas; grandchildren, Christina (Ryan) Ewanow, Lisa (Bryan) KinCannon, David Bradt and Maria (Thomas) Conradt; great-grandchildren, Madeline, Sophia, Ethan, Alexander, Rory and Skylar; sister, Fran Hughes; sister-in-law, Lillian Dee; son-in-law, Ronald Bradt; and several nieces, nephews and dear friends. Millie was born on April 3, 1920 in Rochester NY. She graduated from Franklin HS in 1939. Her parents immigrated from Italy for a better life and settled in Rochester NY. In December of 1943 she married Frank Ragonese, they had a long loving marriage and were together until his death in 1997. Frank was a Lieutenant in the Army during WWII. She traveled with him on his various assignments, they lived in Norfolk VA and Carlisle, PA during his time in the service. She took on administrative jobs in the military during this time. They returned to Rochester NY after the war to raise their family. She was a stay at home mom much of the time but did have some part time jobs, including working at Michael Sterns and for The American Lung Association. During much of the 1960’s she lived in Utica NY for her husband’s job but they returned to the Rochester area in the early 1970’s and settled in Chili NY were she lived the majority of her life. She was a magnificent cook and enjoyed cooking for her family, her recipes have been handed down and made throughout the years between all of her grandchildren. She also enjoyed gardening and regularly volunteering at St. Christopher’s church which she was an active member of until her death. She helped with the alter flowers, pot luck and after services dinners along with various church festivals, fund raisers and where ever the need was. She was loving and supportive of her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren and loved to spend as much time with them as possible watching them grow in life. She always set a positive example for them by the way she went about living her everyday life. We always joked how popular she was amongst the community she lived in, but that is just attributed to the kind heart she had towards people. In her 104 plus years of life she experienced so much, but always handled herself with grace and kindness and was generous, caring and supportive to whomever she came across. Family and friends may call at the Leo M. Bean and Sons Funeral Home Thursday 4-6pm. Funeral Mass Friday 10am at St. Christopher’s Church, 3350 Union St. N. Chili, NY 14514. Interment, Holy Sepulchre Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Golisano Children’s Hospital or Gilda’s Club.

Carmen "Millie" Ragonese

April 3, 1920 - October 5, 2024