Arlene M. (Panasci) Rainone's Obituary
Arlene (Panasci) Rainone, 89, passed away peacefully on January 12, 2020 surrounded by her loving family and friends. Arlene was born on March 24, 1930 to the late Henry and Carmella (Cimini) Panasci in Rome, NY. After graduating high school in Rome in 1948, Arlene received her undergraduate degree from Arizona State University in 1952 with a major in Education. Arlene loved skiing and ice skating as a child. After graduating from college, Arlene became the Owner/President of the Fairmount Travel Service, which she proudly owned and operated for 20 years.
Arlene married Joseph Rainone in 1977 and spent her married years joyfully playing golf and traveling around the world with her husband. Arlene was a member of the Legion of Mary and the Altar Rosary Society at Saint Vincent DePaul Church, where she was a communicant for many years. Upon her retirement from Fairmount Travel, Arlene became an avid golfer and she was a member of both the Tuscarora Golf Club and the Westhill Country Club. During this time of her life, Arlene became a Life Master at Bridge, playing weekly at “The Bridge Studio” on West Genesee Street in Syracuse.
Arlene loved to travel to the wineries throughout the Finger Lakes, tasting wines and having lunch with her friends. She loved to shop in Skaneateles, Aurora and travel with friends to Beck Furs in Albany. She was known for her love of cooking and baking. She loved to entertain for family and friends, where all would enjoy her great Italian dishes, especially her homemade pizza and stuffed rigatoni and meatballs. Arlene’s homemade cookies were “the best”. Her home was always adorned with beautiful flowers.
Arlene volunteered faithfully at Community General Hospital in the Gift Shop, where she loved to spend time helping those whose loved ones were admitted to the hospital.
Besides her parents, Arlene was predeceased by her husband, Joseph Rainone; her brother, Henry Panasci and his wife Faye Panasci.
Arlene is survived by her nephew David (Jan) Panasci and niece Beth (Ira) Leventhal; Arlene is also survived by her step – daughters Nancy Luckwaldt (Dan Zollo) and Linda (K.C.) Jones, her grandchildren Lindsay (Frank) Cullen and Lawrence (Amanda) Luckwaldt, and great-grandchildren Vincent and Gabriel Amorese and Liv Luckwaldt. Arlene is also survived by her best friend, Lisa Gilels Young.
A funeral mass will be held on Saturday, January 18, 2020, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Vincent de Paul Church, 342 Vine Street, Syracuse. Burial will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Dewitt. Family and friends may call on Friday, January 17, 2020 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the THOMAS J. PIRRO JR. FUNERAL HOME 3401 Vickery Rd. (corner of Buckley Rd.) North Syracuse, NY 13212.
The family would like to thank the many caregivers and friends who stood by her side throughout the years.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Arlene’s name may be made to The Food Bank of Central New York 7066 Interstate Island Rd. Syracuse, NY 13209 or the WISE Women’s Business Center at Syracuse University 100 Madison St. Syracuse, NY 13202.
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