Raquel Cerilli

Raquel Cerilli, a resident of Raccoon Township for more than 30 years, died suddenly in Lancaster, PA on Friday, January 20, 2023, only 10 months after the sudden passing of her beloved husband, Richard Cerilli. Richard and Raquel would have celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary on February 19, 2023.

Born in Brooklyn, NY in 1950 to Rafael Figueroa and Elena Rivera, Raquel hails from a large extended family that includes her siblings Raphael (Monica) Figueroa, Nilda Figueroa, Roseanne (Reggie) Huffman, Sonia (Scott) Dudas, Albert (Wendy) Figuero and the late Rubin, Bobby, Priscilla, and Rick (Bart), and many beloved nieces and nephews.

Raquel married Richard in 1983 and her loving family expanded to include Richard’s parents Jane and (the late) Anthony Cerilli and Richard’s siblings Camille (Joseph) Stevenson, Michael (Carol) Cerilli, David (Wendy) Cerilli, and John (Debbie) Cerilli.

Raquel and Richard also had a wide circle of close friends including Donna Goyak, Mike Verbic, Jorge Tapia, Eric Parrish, and Bob Fragasso and many others too numerous to name.

After living in LA, Puerto Rico, and Connecticut, Raquel and Richard made their home on the Cerilli family farm in Beaver County. There, they often hosted epic gatherings of their family and friends that featured Raquel’s legendary cooking made with food from Richard’s prolific garden. Both lovers of animals, the farm was also home to numerous dogs, cats, alpacas, chickens, geese, and peacocks over the years.

Always fabulous with an outfit for every occasion, Raquel will be remembered for her passion for life, adventurous spirit, quirky sense of humor, and most of all, her abiding love for her family and friends and her unwavering devotion to her husband, Richard.

Interment will be private. A gathering to celebrate Raquel’s life and her nearly 40-year marriage to Richard will be held in Pittsburgh at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to Animal Friends, 562 Camp Horne Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15237 (thinkoutsidethecage.org)

To plant a tree in memory of Raquel Cerilli, please visit our Tribute Store.