In Memory of Madeleine Roncari
100 years, four months, and 23 days ago, Madeleine Mae (Rabbett) Roncari entered this world; this is her dash – 1925-2025.
The first-born child of parents, Rose (Calsetta) Rabbett and Arthur "Nacky" Rabbett, Madeleine was doted on by her Gramma Nora Rabbett. That would be the beginning of a long line of family who made Madeleine, heretofore "mom" feel loved and special.
Our dad fell in love with mom in the seventh grade riding his bicycle to and from school, a love that lasted through WWII and dad being POW, till our dad's death twenty years ago. Mom's dad died when she was a young girl leaving gramma Rose with three young children. Gramma Rose remarried Howard Whiten who loved those children like his own; he was always Grampa Howie and mom never made him feel any less our grandfather had he been blood. Mom would pile us in the car to go the 1.5 mile down the road to visit all the time. She made lasting memories with years of family gatherings, baking with grandchildren, forty-nine years of summers at her beloved Cape House in East Dennis, and most importantly manners.
Anyone who knew mom described her in one word, Elegant, always stylishly dressed, high heels and jewelry, and hair perfectly coiffed. She was a woman in her own right but also a mom raising six children. To look at her you'd think her frail though she has survived many losses; her husband, her son Gregory whose 10th year anniversary was the day she chose to leave this world, October 29, sons-in-laws, sister Mary Nalepa, brother Bill Rabbett and many dear friends.
It's hard to flush out the "dash" in this small space but we her survivors: Dale Meck, Deb Roncari (Paul), Robin Roncari, Leslie Marconi (Joe), Alicia Roncari, six grandchildren: Terrence Meck (Breton), Blaire Meck (Eddie), Jonathan Paulo (Alice), Seth Paulo (Jessica), Jake Marconi and Zachary Johnson, and six great grandchildren: Ella and Hunter Milanese, Cole and Hailee Zamora, Luke and Isla Paulo, Miles and Maisy Miller-Callahan, former son in law Joe Paulo and dear friends, Margaret Taravella and Louise Marinone, who took great care of mom for over thirty years, along with nieces and nephews whom she loved very much, will carry on in her memory with her acceptance of others, her tolerance for life outside the "norm," that after 100 years of living she saw more than most yet opened her heart and mind to it all.
If Angels exist on earth, we were beyond blessed these past three years to have three of them care for mom as if she were their own gramma. Pat Howzell came to us on a white horse, taking charge, caring for mom with love, empathy, laughter, lots of laughter and great care. Pat brought along Kitanea McKenzie-Rose, whose soft voice and quiet manner was always a calming presence, and Melisia Duncan, whose robust laughter at almost everything made mom laugh too. We will forever be indebted to these three beautiful women who gave us the opportunity to keep our mom in her home close to everything and everyone she loved.
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