Obituary for Patricia Ann Ragosta (Kavalek)
Patricia Ann (Kavalek) Ragosta, age 79, of Bonita Springs, Florida passed away on September 9, 2022, with her family at her side.
Patti was born in Abington, PA, to Rita and Ernest Kavalek on August 20, 1943. She cherished her young memories of stone houses in idyllic neighborhoods, but fondly became a “Jersey girl” when she moved to Middletown, NJ, at age 13. She was the proud daughter of Mr. Ernest Kavalek, Mayor of Middletown and Monmouth County Freeholder. She attended Middletown High School and graduated in 1961. Patti went on to earn her Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Trenton State College in 1965, where she was Head Majorette and crowned Miss Trenton State. She worked ardently as a first grade teacher for 38 years, positively impacting children throughout all of Monmouth County. She emphatically shared her love of reading with hundreds of people. Patti was also a faithful Catholic, and could always be seen at Saturday evening mass. Through her faith, she developed a gift of making people feel immensely loved. She was genuinely interested in and delighted by others, which was evident to anyone she conversed with. Patti truly had an honest appreciation for the people in her world.
Patti’s real devotion was to her family and friends. She is survived by her husband, John Ragosta, who she married in 1965 at her favorite place, Long Beach Island, NJ. Patti also leaves the “loves of her life,” daughters Danielle (& Kenneth) Shaw and Jessica (& John) Doehner. Her real treasures were her “sensational six” grandchildren, who she loved beyond words and couldn’t wait to tell anyone about, even strangers. Trey, Peyton and Paige Shaw and Jack, Libby and Meredith Doehner, will forever hold their Grandmommy Duksie in their hearts. They will honor her memory by knowing that there’s nothing better than your toes in the sand! Patti also leaves behind a cherished life-long friend, Barbara Major, who will miss her tremendously. She is preceded in death by her mother, Rita Kavalek, father, Ernest Kavalek, and brother, Wayne Kavalek.
A memorial service will be held in New Jersey at a later date.
Patti was born in Abington, PA, to Rita and Ernest Kavalek on August 20, 1943. She cherished her young memories of stone houses in idyllic neighborhoods, but fondly became a “Jersey girl” when she moved to Middletown, NJ, at age 13. She was the proud daughter of Mr. Ernest Kavalek, Mayor of Middletown and Monmouth County Freeholder. She attended Middletown High School and graduated in 1961. Patti went on to earn her Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Trenton State College in 1965, where she was Head Majorette and crowned Miss Trenton State. She worked ardently as a first grade teacher for 38 years, positively impacting children throughout all of Monmouth County. She emphatically shared her love of reading with hundreds of people. Patti was also a faithful Catholic, and could always be seen at Saturday evening mass. Through her faith, she developed a gift of making people feel immensely loved. She was genuinely interested in and delighted by others, which was evident to anyone she conversed with. Patti truly had an honest appreciation for the people in her world.
Patti’s real devotion was to her family and friends. She is survived by her husband, John Ragosta, who she married in 1965 at her favorite place, Long Beach Island, NJ. Patti also leaves the “loves of her life,” daughters Danielle (& Kenneth) Shaw and Jessica (& John) Doehner. Her real treasures were her “sensational six” grandchildren, who she loved beyond words and couldn’t wait to tell anyone about, even strangers. Trey, Peyton and Paige Shaw and Jack, Libby and Meredith Doehner, will forever hold their Grandmommy Duksie in their hearts. They will honor her memory by knowing that there’s nothing better than your toes in the sand! Patti also leaves behind a cherished life-long friend, Barbara Major, who will miss her tremendously. She is preceded in death by her mother, Rita Kavalek, father, Ernest Kavalek, and brother, Wayne Kavalek.
A memorial service will be held in New Jersey at a later date.