Concetta "Connie" Rateni

Concetta "Connie" Rateni (nee DiCillo) age 96. Beloved wife of the late Crescenzo "Chris" Rateni, cherished mother of Lucia Giancola (Nicola) and Tony Rateni (Eloise) of Florida.
Cherished Nonna of Michael Giancola (Victoria), Chris Giancola (Jenelle), Daniela Dinwiddie (Kenneth), David Rateni (Michelle), Cristie Rateni, Rob Rateni (Kelsie). Biz Nonna was adored by 20 great grandchildren.
Beloved sister of Antonio (Victoria) DiCillo and Carmella Cortona of Italy. Preceded in death by brother Giovanni DiCillo, sister Assunta Minadeo of Italy, beloved brother-in-law Tony Rateno (Angelina), sister-in-law Maria Rateni of Argentina, Josi Rateni, Louisa Vitantonio and Gloria Rateni of Italy.
Loving Aunt of Robert Rateno (Linda) and Ronald Rateno (deceased) and many, many nieces and nephews from Italy, Argentina, Canada and the United States.
Concetta was born in Ripalimosani, Italy on February 7, 1924. Married Crescenzo Rateni in December 3, 1944. Crescenzo was sponsored to America in 1954 by his brother Tony Rateno. In 1956 Concetta and her two children, Lucia and Tony joined her husband in America. The new world brought challenges and opportunities to Concetta and her husband but in 1970 Crescenzo was involved in a tragic work-related accident. Concetta immediately entered the workforce as a seamstress with Cannon Tailoring in downtown Cleveland while providing for her two children. She played the role of mother and father in a time when that wasn't common. Despite these struggles, she had to learn how to drive and speak the English language. Concetta always provided a loving and warm home for her children.
Concetta never remarried after the death of her husband Crescenzo, who predeceased her by 50 years. She is survived by her daughter Lucia Giancola (Nicola) and her son Tony Rateni (Eloise), granddaughters Daniela Dinwiddie (Kenneth) and Cristie Rateni; grandsons Michael Giancola (Victoria), Chris Giancola (Jenelle), David Rateni (Michelle) and Rob Rateni (Kelsie). Biz Nonna was adored by 20 great grandchildren.
Fond sister of Antonio (Victoria) DiCillo and Carmella Cortona of Italy. Preceded in death by brother Giovanni DiCillo, sister Assunta Minadeo of Italy, beloved brother-in-law Tony Rateno (Angelina), sister-in-law Maria Rateni from Argentina, Josi Rateni, Louisa Vitantonio and Gloria Rateni from Italy.
Loving Aunt of Robert Rateno (Linda) and Ronald Rateno, deceased and many, many nieces and nephews from Italy, Argentina, Canada and the United States.
Concetta loved to be surrounded by family and friends. In her younger years, she would get together with her paesani (Lanese, Mitri & DeLauro families) on weekends and dress in costumes to rehearse for the Masquerade (Mardi Gras). She would tell stories of her family life in Italy to anyone who would listen. We will all miss her humor and smile.
Concetta will be remembered by all as the "fancy lady" for the way she portrayed herself, always dressed in fashion. Her passions were gardening and baking for the grandkids. Her potato pizza was demanded by everyone.
Concetta was involved with a lady's rosary group here in Mayfield Heights. The ladies would take turns meeting in their homes every Wednesday afternoon to recite the rosary.
Concetta was a devote Catholic who loved to travel abroad. She toured Italy many times with family and friends. With every visit, she insisted the family take day trips to many of the religious sites in Rome, Milan, Florence, Venice, Puglia and one of her favorite sites the Sanctuary of Padre Pio in San Giovanni Rotondo. On one of the visits, she had an audience with Pope John Paul II. She never got tired of traveling to these sites.
Her long line of family members brought her to Rosario, Argentina twice, once to celebrate her 80th birthday with her sister-in-law (Maria Rateni) who was also celebrating 90 years young. While in Rosario, Concetta, along with a caravan of relatives, traveled by sleeping bus to visit holy sites in the cities of Santa Fe, Corrientes and ending in Puerto Iguazu to visit Cataratas del Iguazu (Iguazu Falls).
Concetta was a wonderful person to all who knew her. She will be truly missed.
Interment All Souls Cemetery. FAMILY AND FRIENDS ARE INVITED TO GATHER FOR MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL 10 am TUESDAY AT St. Paschal Baylon Church, 5384 Wilson Mills Rd., Highland Hts., OH 44143.
MASKS ARE REQUIRED AT CHURCH.
In lieu of flowers, the Rateni family suggests donating in Connie's name to Saint Anthony of Padova Congregation of the Rogationists of the Heart of Jesus.
Concetta's Mass of Christian Burial will be livestreamed on The Fioritto Funeral Service Facebook page.