Obituary of Genevieve Frances (Mogavero) Ranta

Genevieve Frances (Mogavero) Ranta, 97, of Peabody, MA, died peacefully on Sunday, January 6, 2013 at the Aviv Center for Health in Peabody after a brief illness. She was the beloved wife of the late John Edward Ranta and the mother of the late James Anthony Ranta of Danvers. She was born in Somerville,MA on July 22, 1915, the daughter of the late Antonio and Josephine (Menici) Mogavero , and was the last surviving child that included the late Charles, Dominic, Joseph, Sam and Frances Mogavero. Genevieve is survived by her son, John Edward Ranta Jr. and his wife Mary Ellen of Salem, a daughter, Elaine D’Alessandro and her husband James of Manchester, NH, her nine grandchildren, Ned Ranta and his wife Tracey of Denver, CO., Keith Ranta and his wife Monique of Rockville, MD, Alison Church and her husband Mike of Marblehead, James D'Alessandro and his wife Denia of Danbury, CT., Anthony D'Alessandro and his wife Muy of Radnor, PA, Liane D’Alessandro of Medford, Sara D’Alessandro of Boston, Curtis Ranta of Charlestown, and Brooke Holland and her husband Tim of Essex. She is also survived by a daughter-in-law, Sherry Ranta of Newburyport, eleven great-grandchildren, several nieces and nephews, friends and neighbors. Genevieve graduated from Peabody High School in 1933 and wanted to pursue a career in social work. She attended Simmons School of Social Work at night and during the day she volunteered at Catholic Charities and became an investigator for the City of Peabody. She learned that you had to be twenty five years old before taking the Social Service exam and then decided to take an accounting job at Sylvania Electric Co in Salem for seven years prior to her marriage on October 11, 1942. After her youngest entered high school, Gen worked as a service representative at Liberty Mutual Insurance Company at the North Shore Shopping Center inPeabody. Genevieve was an active senior citizen, having been widowed at the age of 59, she continued working until retirement age and the filled her days with various activities. She spent many hours watching her grandchildren and great grandchildren grow and also volunteered at the formerJ.B.ThomasHospitaland Lahey Clinic for over 25 years. She took up golf and pursued a passion once shared with her husband when they first met… dancing. She and her dance partners would sachet the floor at thePeabody Senior Center. She also tap danced, joined a health club, bowled with friends, attended yoga and Pilates classes and traveled in and out of the United States. Family and friends are invited to call from 4:00 until 8:00 PM on Thursday, Jan. 10, 2013 at the Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home at the 82 Lynn St.,Peabody facility. A Mass of Christian burial will be held on Friday at 11:00 AM at St. John the Baptist Church,16 Chestnut St ,Peabody. Burial will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery,Salem. Expressions of sympathy may be made to the Peabody Council on Aging, 79 Central St.,Peabody,MA 01960 in her memory.