Thelma Verna Ravinski

Thelma Verna (Moore) Ravinski, age 97, passed away on Monday, April 1st, 2024, at The Ellis Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Norwood, Massachusetts. Born in Norwood, Massachusetts on January 28, 1927, she was the daughter of the late George S. and Helen M. (Treen) Moore. Thelma was born and raised in Norwood, Massachusetts where she attended the Guild School. In the seventh grade, Thelma's family moved to the neighboring town of Walpole, Massachusetts. Thelma attended Walpole High School and worked part time at Watson's Candies, serving delicious treats to her new neighbors and friends in town. 

After graduating from Walpole High with the class of 1945, Thelma attended Mount Ida Junior College in Newton, Massachusetts, where she received an Associate’s degree in 1947. With a degree in hand and adventure in her heart, Thelma and her sister Muriel journeyed to Long Beach, California where they lived with their extended family. When she wasn't working at Grayson's Women’s Store, Thelma was enjoying the warmth, sunshine, and excitement that only the West Coast can offer.

California was not Thelma's final destination though, and she returned to Walpole a few short years later, where a chance encounter with a bold young man would lead to wedded bliss. Thelma married the love of her life, Edward George Ravinski, on June 24, 1950, in the Blessed Sacrament Church in Walpole, Massachusetts. The pair made their married home in Norfolk, living with one of Ed's brothers for a short time, while their house was being built, right next door! During this time, Thelma worked for the Kendall Company as well as Bird and Son, before trading in her time sheets for baby sheets. Mother's Day is a special day for many women, but in 1951, it was extra special for Thelma, because she was able to celebrate it for the first time, by giving birth to the first baby born on Mother's Day at Norwood Hospital that year. Thelma, now a homemaker, and Ed would welcome two more wonderful children over the years. 

During her time as a homemaker, Thelma perfected many recipes in the kitchen. The house would often smell of freshly baked bread and, on special occasions, a decadent cake made from scratch. Thelma was a foodie, and enjoyed cooking and baking almost as much as eating the delicious meals she would put together. She was also an adventurous eater, encouraging her children to try many new foods, many components of which were sourced during Ed's hunting trips. Among the delicacies that she prepared were snapping turtle burgers, fried frog’slegs, stuffed venison heart, as well as more standard fare like fried chicken and fish. 

As her children grew, Thelma returned to the workforce, taking her expertise in the kitchen to the Norfolk school system. Thelma began as a bread baker at the JuniorHigh School and later became the first baker at the Freeman Centennial School, providing the children of Norfolk with tasty rolls and treats. Thelma worked as a baker for eight years before transitioning to jewelry sales at Mar El Wholesale Jewelry in Walpole, helping shoppers pick out the perfect piece for their special occasions. In the following years, Thelma would find employment at the Stop and Shop at the Walpole Mall and Norfolk Prison before taking a position as the Assistant Town Clerk and Tax Collector for the town of Norfolk. As a Norfolk history buff, this was a wonderful job, as she was now a part of Norfolk town history! Thelma enjoyed interacting with her fellow community members and remained with the Town Clerk's office until her retirement in 1987.

In her retirement, Thelma found community at the Norfolk Senior Center. She was always busy enjoying classes or attending events and spending time with her fellow seniors. Knowing many of the problems that people her age encountered, Thelma was instrumental in the coordination of a life alert system, ensuring that her fellow seniors could access help in an emergency.

During her life, Thelma had many hobbies and interests to occupy her free time. In the winter she loved to hit the fresh snow by cross country skiing or snowmobiling at her vacation home on Cherry Mountain Road in Carroll, New Hampshire. When the weather was nice, she could often be found tending to her garden, growing beautiful flowers to brighten her house or vegetables to feed her family. When the opportunity to travel arose, Thelma took it, visiting Europe and 48 of the 50 United States. She was skilled at multiple fiber arts, whether it was braiding rugs, sewing quilts, crocheting slippers, or knitting sweaters. Many of her family members and friends were the lucky recipients of custom made fishman knit Irish sweaters. Thelma also used her sewing skills to add a special touch to her daughters weddings by sewing their wedding gowns. She also baked all of her children’s wedding cakes! Thelma also loved music, playing the organ, and singing every chance she could get, whether it was in the choir at Saint Jude's or later for her fellow nursing home residents.

Out of everything in her life, family was most important to Thelma. She had a loving husband, three wonderful children who she adored to no end, and eventually was blessed with grandchildren, and later great grandchildren. She loved spending time with them and hung their pictures up around her home with pride. 

Thelma will be remembered as someone who was always doing something fun and exciting, like jumping out of a cardboard cake for your birthday or dressing up like Lady GaGa. She will be remembered for calling you on your birthday, to serenade you with Happy Birthday like she was Marilyn Monroe. Thelma will be remembered her for love of April Fools pranks and her sense of humor. Most of all, Thelma will be remembered as a remarkable woman; a daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, and friend who left an impression on everyone she met.

Beloved wife of the late Edward George Ravinski

Loving mother of Sandy L. Lightbody, and her husband John L. "Roy", of Walpole, Judy A. Holt, and her husband David, of Norfolk, and Gary G. Ravinski, and his wife Catherine, of Norfolk.

Cherished grandmother of Keith Legge of Walpole, Emily Holt of Dartmouth, James Ravinski, and his wife Michelle, of Bellingham, Michael Holt, and his wife Alexandra, of Norton, and Jessica Wood, and her husband Gregory, of Norton. Great grandmother of Olivia Ravinski, Lily Holt, Delyla Holt, James Ravinski, Savannah Wood, and McKenna Wood.

Sister of Muriel Wise of Franklin, Albert Moore of Vienna, Virginia, and the late Stanley Moore.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend Thelma's Life Celebration on Thursday, April 11th, 2024, from 4:00 - 7:00 pm in the James H. Delaney & Son Funeral Home, 48 Common Street, Walpole.

A Funeral Home Service will be held on Friday, April 12th, 2024, at 10:00 AM. Interment will follow at Knollwood Memorial Park in Canton.