Ruth “Ruthie” Ragonese, 98, died Aug. 17 at her daughter’s home in Tucson, Ariz. She was 98.
She was born April 20, 1926, in Port Chester, and lived for a time in Norway with her family. Her father, Karl Johnson, also known as “the big Swede,” built much of the infrastructure at Ward Pound Ridge Reservation as a foreman for the Civilian Conservation Corps during the Great Depression.
She spent her childhood on the reservation in Cross River, beginning in the 1930s, before moving to Bedford Village.
She married Walter Ragonese, who predeceased her in March 1997. His family owned the Bedford Shell station property for more than 60 years, beginning in the 1930s.
Ragonese attended a two-room schoolhouse in the 1930s where Bedford Elementary School now stands. She graduated Bedford High School in 1944. Her family said she tap danced, played the violin, and drew and painted, focussing on landscapes. She attended Brenau College in Georgia and the Katharine Gibbs Secretarial School, and worked for Reader’s Digest before starting her family.
Ragonese is survived by four children, Barbara Moss Haydock (Tim), Janet Ragonese, Walter Ragonese and Julia Ragonese-Barwell (Jay), as well as two granddaughters and two great-granddaughters.
She was known for her love and kindness to animals. In addition to taking in many stray and injured animals, she contributed to several animal rescue organizations. She also volunteered to clean up the BRLA trails, where she loved to walk. She was a frequent participant at Bedford Fire Department events and was a member of the Bedford Presbyterian Church since she was a teenager.
The family said Ragonese was devoted to her extended families with eight grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.
The family also noted that throughout her life and until her final days, she visited Ward Pound Ridge Reservation as often as possible because it held a special place in her heart.
A service to honor Ragonese’s life will be held Saturday, Sept. 7, at 11 a.m., at the Bedford Presbyterian Church located at 44 Village Green, Bedford. There will be a celebration of life gathering at Bedford Historical Hall following interment at Bedford Union Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in her memory to Ward Pound Ridge Reservation, or the animal rescue organization of your choice.