Carmela (Ciampacone) Racicot

Carmela (Ciampacone) Racicot, 91, passed away on December 20, 2020, at the Elliot Hospital in Manchester, New Hampshire, after a brief illness. She was born in Montreal, Canada on November 19, 1929, daughter to Antonio and Giovannina (Aquilante) Ciampacone.

Carmela married Raymond J. Graveline on November 5, 1949, in Montreal. The couple moved to the United States in 1951, and spent time in New Haven, Connecticut before settling in Manchester, New Hampshire. Carmela became a U.S. citizen in 1960. She had four children with Raymond and was widowed in 1968.

Carmela married World War II veteran and P.O.W. Albert H. ("Russ") Racicot on June 30, 1987, at the Sacred Heart Church in Manchester. Russ died in 2000 after a lengthy and debilitating illness throughout which Carmela served as his loving and devoted caregiver. She spent most of her remaining years in the home she cherished on the West Side of Manchester, finding companionship and joy with her beloved dogs, first Lucky, then Oscar. She became a resident of the Bedford Hills Center nursing home in Bedford in November of 2020.

Along with her husbands, Carmela was predeceased by her oldest son, George Graveline and by a daughter-in-law, Elva Graveline, her younger son's wife. She is survived by one brother, Anthony Champagne of Toronto, Canada. Other members of her family include a daughter and son-in-law, Nancy and Domenic DeFronzo of Merrimack, NH, another daughter and son-in-law, Debra and Denis Depelteau of Hooksett, NH, her youngest son, Michael Graveline of North Stonington, CT and daughter-in-law, Rebecca Graveline of Bedford, NH, her older son's widow. Carmela also leaves behind six grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

Carmela's primary occupation was that of a housewife and homemaker. She was a skilled seamstress, talented at cross stitch, knitting and crocheting and loved to share her beautiful creations with family and friends. She liked to go dancing on Saturday nights at the Venetian Ballroom in Pine Island Park with her first husband and dearest friends, Joe and Irma Houle. Carmela enjoyed reading and liked pretty things. She was a meticulous housekeeper and excellent cook and loved nothing more than having her children and grandchildren visit. She had an ability to become fast friends with anyone who came into her life and was especially close to her grandson, Dana Depelteau. Carmela will be fondly remembered for her creativity, her love of animals, and an endearing delight she took from small, simple things.

Debra Depelteau would like to thank the entire staff at the Bedford Hills Center for their kindness and care of her mother during the final weeks of Carmela's life.

A celebration of Carmela's life will take place at the Phaneuf Funeral Home at 243 Hanover Street, in Manchester, NH 03104 on January 9, 2021, with a gathering from 9AM-10AM and a memorial service at 10AM. Carmela will be laid to rest beside her first husband at St. Joseph's Cemetery in Bedford.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Carmela's name are encouraged to be sent to the New Hampshire Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals® (NH SPCA).