Honoring Woman, 22, Who Died Of Cancer: 'She Will Be Remembered'

MANORVILLE, NY — Two years after Rachel Ragone died at just 22 years old, her family gathered with town officials to dedicate a Manorville street in her memory.

Brookhaven Town Supervisor Ed Romaine and Councilman Dan Panico dedicated a portion of Deer Lane to Rachel, who died on Jan. 20, 2019 of Ewing's sarcoma, a pediatric bone cancer.

She was diagnosed with cancer when she was just 16 years old.

The ceremony Wednesday was held on the corner of Deer Lane and Shang Lee Drive in Manorville, right across the street from her house and where she used to wait for the school bus. The spot will now be called Rachel Ragone Place.

Rachel was a 2014 graduate of Eastport-South Manor High School and Fordham University’s Gabelli School of Business, where her caring heart and spirit led her to earn many accolades and awards for her community service and academic achievements. Rachel was involved with Friends of Karen, a group that supports kids with life-threatening illnesses, Contractors for Kids, Stony Brook Hospital’s School Intervention and Re-entry Program and NY Blood Services.

As a student at Fordham, Rachel was a member of Colleges Against Cancer and was instrumental in raising funds for the Fordham Dance Marathon that benefited the children’s cancer charity, Be Positive.

Rachel's mother Kim Ragone, family members, and neighbors were also joined by Father John Sureau, Pastor of St. John the Evangelist in Center Moriches and Rachel’s friends Kaitlyn Shire and Betsy Spellman.

According to Newsday, Kim Ragone said her daughter, at 16, cut her hair to donate to cancer victims before she was diagnosed. "And then three months later, we would never imagine that she would need a wig herself."

She also said that the street sign was a way to keep her daughter's memory alive. "I wake up sometimes and I don’t want to get out of bed. Seeing that street sign, it gives me a sense of comfort that my daughter will be remembered," Newsday reported.

"Rachel may be gone, but she’s not forgotten," Panico said.

“Rachel was a special person," Romaine said. "She was a spark that would light a fire in all of us to do better for our community, ourselves and our neighbors. Today is a very special day and I am proud to honor Rachel and celebrate her wonderful life.”

Panico added: “Rachel Ragone touched the lives of so many in her very accomplished life that ended too soon. She will be remembered by all those who knew here and with this tribute across from her family home.”