Rita Ragozzino Baum

1932 - 2024

Rita Ragozzino Baum of Los Gatos, California passed away on November 5, 2024, at the age of 92. She died peacefully in her own bed, with loving family members nearby.

Devoted mother, grandmother, writer, gardener, artist, philanthropist, and champion for the elderly, Rita's natural radiance was as pure as sunlight. She was honest, loving, and sincere-a perennial optimist who saw the good side of every situation. Her diminutive stature belied her powerful impact. She was a delicate bird who learned to soar with eagles.

Rita Virginia Ragozzino was born in Brooklyn, New York on March 12, 1932, the daughter of John Ragozzino and Emma Monetti, who immigrated from Naples, Italy. John was a tailor, who made a name for himself as a designer of costumes for the New York theater, including a stint with the Ziegfeld Follies on Broadway. When Rita was three years old, John moved his family to San Francisco. He purchased a large house that spanned an entire block of Lombard Street, not far from the Marina. Rita was the youngest of nine brothers and sisters, who all preceded her in death. With her passing, an enduring legacy draws to a close.

As a young woman, Rita worked in her father's shop, helping him with his business of making costumes for San Francisco's theater and opera companies, as well as producing fine suits and dresses for men and women. She attended San Mateo High School, San Jose State University, and Arizona State University, where she earned a master's degree in gerontology.

Rita carried her Italian heritage like a torch, a light that spanned two continents and illuminated every aspect of her character. She loved to tell the story of Genaro, her grandfather, who left the safe haven of his homeland in Naples to start an opera company in the New World. Genaro's bold venture set an example of tenacity and resourcefulness that has influenced the Ragozzino family for six generations. Rita's brothers and sisters founded many successful businesses throughout the Bay Area. The Ragozzinos brought the entire world into their orbit and raised dozens of children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Rita adored her brothers and sisters, and they doted on her.

In 1958, Rita married Frederic (Ted) Baum of Salem, Oregon, a pediatrician and public health official. He courted her with Gatsby-like panache, and gradually won the heart not only of Rita, but of her protective family. When Ted took a job in Phoenix, Rita left the Bay Area and her beloved siblings to raise her three children, Edward, David and Daphne, in the Valley of the Sun. They built a home in the Arcadia district, a lush suburban enclave near Camelback Mountain. Rita volunteered for the March of Dimes and other nonprofit organizations, beginning a lifetime of philanthropy, fundraising, and public service. She produced dozens of oil paintings during this period, primarily landscapes and still-lifes that expressed her tranquil view of the world.

Rita and Ted were happily married for many years. When the marriage ended in 1976, Rita began a new chapter as a single mother. In the span of just a few years, she transformed her life from homemaker to executive, moved back to the Bay Area, purchased a home in Los Gatos, and put her master's degree to work. For eight years she worked at the Visiting Nurses Association, then accepted the role of Director of In-Home Services for the Council on Aging of Santa Clara County. After retiring in 2015, she continued her work for the elderly as a private conservator, handling the medical needs and financial wellbeing of seniors who could no longer care for themselves.

All her life, Rita gave to others-first to her children, then later to the many people she helped as an ombudsman and conservator. As a dedicated philanthropist with a love of reading, writing, and the arts, she devoted much of her free time to raising funds for local non-profit institutions. She played a major role in the construction of a new public library in Los Gatos, personally securing a large contribution from Steve Wozniak. She served on the Art's Council and co-founded the Young Writers Workshop, where hundreds of children discovered their innate potential as creative writers. Rita taught from experience. For seven years she published a popular column, "Aging Without Limits," which was syndicated among several local newspapers. She also wrote fiction, poetry, memoir, and drama. Her crowning achievement was a full-length musical, "Angels Don't Cry," with original music by her son, Eddie, which was televised by a local theater group at West Valley College.

In 2016, the Town of Los Gatos honored Rita as a Senior of Distinction for her decades of selfless devotion to these many cultural, civic, and artistic endeavors. Rita was also a long-time member of the Sierra Club, a tireless hiker who participated in weekly treks in the Santa Cruz Mountains and other wilderness areas. For her, nature was God's handiwork, and she felt privileged to inhabit his garden.

For many years, Rita attended Price of Peace Lutheran Church in Saratoga. Her Christian faith was important to her throughout her life and a comfort to her in the months and weeks leading up to her death. In her final years, she resided at Belmont Village in San Jose, where she continued to shine her bright light and enthusiasm on the residents and staff.

Rita (Nonna) is lovingly remembered by her three children: Edward Baum, David Baum (Susie), and Daphne Baum Small (Tim), and four grandchildren: Matthew Baum, Emily Baum, Julianna Small Nicolai (Chase), and Johnathan Small.

Rita's family and friends will gather on Saturday, December 14, 2024 at 11 AM for a memorial service at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Saratoga (12770 Saratoga Avenue). Donations to the following organizations on behalf of Rita Baum are gratefully appreciated:
Prince of Peace Lutheran Church (https://www.propeace.org/)
The Friends of Los Gatos Library (https://friendsoflglibrary.org/)