Raffaella Martello passed away peacefully surrounded by her children and grandchildren on December 26th at 10 PM.

Raffaella Martello was born on July 10, 1932 in Forlì Del Sannio, Italy to Donato Massucci and Giulia Lilli.

Raffaella grew up on her family's farm where she worked along side her siblings tending to the sheep and cows. Raffaella immigrated to Ashtabula in 1961 at the age of 28. She met her husband, John F Martello, shortly after arriving to America. While building a new life in America, she honored old world traditions and kept her heritage alive. She ruled her home and kitchen with precision passed down by her own mother and grandmother. She took pride in tending to her garden, harvesting tomatoes, baking bread and homemade pasta. She was known by many as the "best cook". She appreciated the beauty and simple things in life and loved growing an abundance of flowers. A social butterfly, she kept a close circle of friends who became more like family. She was a doting mother and grandmother, her greatest joy was making sure her children and grandchildren were well fed and safe.

She is survived by her daughter Gina Giancola (Tony) of Ashtabula, son John Martello (Darris) of Chicago, sister Delfina of Italy, and grandchildren Ida, Giulia, Raffaele and Maxandre. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband John Martello, her brother Antionio Massucci of Italy and Carmen Massucci of Ashtabula.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday Dec. 30 at 1 P.M. in Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church with entombment to follow in Greenlawn Memory Gardens. Visitation will be at the church from Noon to 1. Funeral mass will be streamed on the Our Lady of Peace Ashtabula facebook page. Condolences can be made at guerrierofuneralhome.com

To send flowers please call flowers on the ave at 440 993-8845 or flowersontheave.com , to make a memorial donation go to https://www.olcshrine.com/make-a-gift