Patricia Ragone

**Patricia Lynne "DQ" Ragone, 56**

*March 28, 1969 - March 28, 2025*

Patricia Lynne Ragone, lovingly known as "Tricia" or "DQ," passed away on her 56th birthday, March 28, 2025, in Brooklyn, New York-the same city where she was born and where she made an indelible mark on countless lives.

Throughout her life, Tricia embodied fierce dedication, boundless love, and unshakable determination. For much of her professional career, she served as a public defender in the Criminal Courts of Brooklyn. In that demanding role, she was a tireless advocate for justice-fighting to ensure that each of her clients was treated fairly and with dignity. Her work was not just a job but a mission rooted in compassion and principle.

Later in life, Tricia discovered a new calling that brought her profound joy and fulfillment: teaching Tinkergarten classes. Immersed in nature and surrounded by children, she found a renewed sense of wonder. Mud puddles became magical playgrounds; sticks and leaves transformed into tools of imagination. Through the eyes of her young students, Tricia came to appreciate the beauty of the outdoors in a way she never had before. She often said that if she had one regret, it was not finding this passion sooner. The families she taught became part of her extended family-woven into the fabric of her heart.

Tricia's greatest devotion was to her family. She is survived by her beloved wife, Andrea Moletteri; their cherished children Anthony John, Elizabeth Ann, and Samantha Marie; and their loyal dog Colby Jack. Her mother Ellen McQueen and Ellen's wife Judy Shapiro were constant sources of strength and love in her life. She also leaves behind her brothers Vincent Ragone (and his wife Kerri) and Brian Ragone (and his wife Amy), along with nephews Nicholas, Peyton, Connor, and Landon.

She held close the memory of those who preceded her in death: her paternal grandparents Yolanda and Vincent Ragone; maternal grandparents Helen and John McQueen; her uncle John McQueen; her mother in law Mary Moletteri and her father Richard Ragone.

Tricia's passions were as vibrant as her personality. An avid skier with a bold claim that she could teach anyone-until she met Andrea-she found joy on snowy slopes. She loved puzzles of all kinds but especially jigsaw puzzles completed on the dining room table at Sue and Heide's Adirondack house. Scrapbooking was another treasured hobby; every family event became an opportunity to preserve memories through photos. Her friend Jennie once joked that if Tricia didn't capture it on camera, it didn't happen.

Children always held a special place in Tricia's heart. She treasured time spent with her nephews and found deep joy during recent years with Nicole and Morgan-Becky and Don's children. While never one to claim the title of "sports mom," she took immense pride in watching Elizabeth and Samantha play soccer and lacrosse. With Anthony, she shared a special bond over visits to the American Museum of Natural History-a place whose magic they both cherished.

Tricia approached life like a puzzle waiting to be solved-whether fixing an appliance or helping a child navigate school friendships. Her persistence was legendary; once committed to something or someone, she gave it everything she had. That spirit extended into every corner of her life-from becoming "class mom" not just for one class but seemingly for the entire Brooklyn School of Inquiry community-to championing causes like 5Points Lacrosse with unwavering energy. Legal pads filled with notes for Ethan from the program still fill their home-a testament to how deeply she cared.

Her friendships were lifelong commitments forged through every chapter-from high school to college to law school to courtrooms and classrooms alike. If you were lucky enough to be known by Tricia, you were loved by Tricia-with no half-measures.

Above all else, Tricia lived for her children. There wasn't a concert or game or school event too small or too late for her attendance. Her love for Anthony, Elizabeth, and Samantha was fierce and enduring-and it sustained her through even the most difficult days. Her dreams for them were ambitious but always grounded in belief-in who they were and who they could become.

In lieu of flowers or soup the family is asking that you consider donating to one of the following organizations:

Fairview Lake YMCA

https://givebutter.com/c/FVL/members/inmemoryoftriciaragone

Or

Melanoma Research

https://give.weill.cornell.edu/ Click orange "Donate Now" button and it will take you to the online form: https://s010.med.cornell.edu/wcmc/make-a-donation.html



When completing the form, you may include the following information on the 1st page:

About Your Gift:

Designation: Select Medical Research and insert "Melanoma A/C # 61500706" Including this note is essential as this is the only way that our Development Office will be able to correctly appropriate the funds.

Tribute: This gift is from {name} in memory of Patricia Ragone for Dr. Anna Pavlick

Please identify who should be notified of this tribute gift. Gift amount will not be included:

Anna Pavlick, MD

Weill Cornell Medicine

1305 York Avenue, 12th Floor

New York, NY 10065

Email: maw2029@med.cornell.edu



Checks:

Checks should be made out to "WCMC Melanoma Program Fund" and mailed directly to Anna Pavlick (address below). Please note in the memo section "In memory of Patricia Ragone " .

Hematology/Medical Oncology

Weill Cornell Medicine

1305 York Avenue, 12th Floor

New York, NY 10021

May Patricia Lynne "DQ" Ragone's memory live on in every child who plays freely outdoors, every puzzle solved at a family table, every act of fierce advocacy-and most especially in the hearts of those who loved her beyond measure.