Rachael Ann Ferrara, 92, died peacefully, surrounded by her loving family, on Friday, December 12, 2014.  Born on Wednesday, June 28, 1922, in Canton, Ohio, Rachael was the daughter of the late Angelo and Antoinette Pentella.  On October 15, 1942, she married Francis X. Ferrara, at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Canton.  Her husband preceded her in death on October 18, 1997.

Rachael was a 1940 graduate of Mount Marie Academy in Canton and she was retired from the Ohio Bureau of Unemployment Compensation.  She lived in Canton her entire life and attended St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church until moving to the Atlanta, Georgia area in 2006 to be near her family.

She is survived by her daughter, Pamela (David) Featheringham of Johns Creek, Georgia; her granddaughter, Kelly Oster of Roswell, Georgia; her grandson, Scott (Maria) Oster of Johns Creek; and her great-grandchildren, Madeline and Mackenzie Oster and Jakob and Adam Wooten, all of Georgia.  Brother-in-law, William (Bill) DeGarmo and sister-in-law, Jean Mercogliano; numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews also survive Rachael and will remember her fondly.

Rachael was a kind person, devoted to her family and her faith.  Before Alzheimer’s disease took its toll, she lived a full and active life.  She twice traveled throughout Italy with her daughter, Pamela, and other family members.  Rachael was an avid walker and, in her 80’s, wan gold medals in the Senior Olympics in Alpharetta, Georgia two years in a row!  She was an excellent cook and baked tens of thousands of delicious Italian cookies over the years for her family and friends.

In addition to her husband and parents, Rachael was preceded in death by her brother, Sabatino Armondo (Sam) Pentella; sisters, Gloria Nemeth and Jean DeGarmo; brother-in-laws, Joseph L. Nemeth, Jr., Andy Sciacca and Louis Mercogliano; sisters-in-law, Virginia Pentella, Helen Sciacca and Rita Rubin; and an infant niece, Lori Pentella.

Cremation has taken place in Georgia.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church in Canton, Ohio on Monday, December 29th at 10:30 A.M. with interment to follow in Calvary Cemetery.  There are no calling hours.  Friends wishing to do so, may make a donation in memory of Rachael to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America 322 East Eigth Avenue, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10001 or online at www.alzfdn.org.

Georgia Cremation 3116 U.S. Highway 23, Duluth, GA 30096 (678)584-0914 is assisting the family with local arrangements.  Messages of condolence may be made or viewed at www.GeorgiaCremation.com.