Isabel Mangini, lifelong resident of Raton, passed away on Tuesday, May 1, 2018 at age 93. She was born October 23, 1924 to Antone (Tony) Pannone and Lottie Schilling Pannone. Isabel graduated from St. Patrick’s Academy in 1942. She attended business school and worked in Albuquerque for several years before returning to Raton. On September 14, 1949 she married Alex C. Mangini, Sr. in Raton.
Isabel is preceded in death by her parents, Tony and Lottie Pannone, her first son, Michael Alexander Mangini, and her husband Alex C. Mangini, Sr. She is survived by her second son, Dr. Alex C. Mangini, Jr., her sister Madelyn Cunico, nephews James Chicarelli, John Cunico, Steve Cunico and Rocky Mangini, and niece Jeannie Vera, and very special nieces-in-law Jana Chicarelli and Marietta Mangini, and a host of friends including special friends Alice Martinez, Jean Rose, Martha Sawaya, Pat Veltri and Sister Mary Laurene Valdez, OP. She also leaves behind many beloved grand-nieces and nephews and “adopted grandkids”.
Isabel had a devotion to books and worked as part-time librarian at the old Raton Public Library located at Ripley Park, then at the Arthur Johnson Memorial Library. After becoming a Certified Librarian Assistant, she worked as a full-time Assistant Librarian for many years. She especially enjoyed working with local students, helping them with term papers and assignments. After retir
ing from state employment in the late 1980’s, she assumed the role of Librarian at the All Saints Catholic School, a job she held until the school closed in 2007. This was the most beloved time of her career. She worked hard to inspire a love of books and reading to her young students at All Saints. In the process she became an expert in children’s literature and a friend to hundreds of students.
Isabel was a devout Catholic throughout her life and was a member of Saint Patrick’s-Saint Joseph’s Parish in Raton. Every Sunday she went to Mass and then to breakfast with her friends. In her later years, after becoming homebound, she watched the Rosary and Mass on the EWTN network every day. She was a devoted wife, mother, aunt and friend and will be missed by all who knew her.
Services for Isabel Mangini will be held on Monday, May 7 at Saint Patrick’s-Saint Joseph’s Catholic Church at 105 Buena Vista, Raton, New Mexico. The rosary will be at 10:00 am followed by Mass at 10:30 am and interment at Mt. Calvary Cemetery. The family suggests donations to Mt. Calvary Cemetery or Arthur Johnson Memorial Library in lieu of flowers.
Arrangements and celebration of love for Isabel Mangini are under the direction of the Yaksich-Long Funeral Home of Raton.
