Ethel Madaline (Rau) Cagni, 94

Mrs. Ethel Madaline (Rau) Cagni, 94, of Ellwood City, passed away on Sunday, March 16, 2025 with her loving family at her bedside.

She was born in Beaver Falls on August 14, 1930 to the late Wilbert J and Elfreda (Ruhe) Rau. She was a member of the Beaver Falls High School class of 1948.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of almost 63 years, Joseph A (Joe Joe) Cagni, and her brother Wilbert D Rau.

She is survived by her daughters, Paula Cagni of Ellwood City, Kathleen “Katie” (Harry) Nagel of Allison Park, PA, Diane (David) Welsh of Cleveland, OH, Christina (Robert) Fee of Franklin Twp, and her grandchildren, Branson Welsh of St Petersburg, FL, Franchesca Fee of Erie, PA, and Natalie (Tim) Lagoy of Cincinnati, OH.

When Ethel was an adolescent, she and her friend Dixie used their singing talents to perform at many civic events. They even took a train to Pittsburgh and sang on stage as part of a USO Program to honor soldiers after WW2.

As a young woman, Ethel worked as an operator for Bell Telephone Company and, in later years after she raised her family, she worked at Joins Answering Service. From this work and her sharp mind, Ethel had a skill for remembering phone numbers. In the 1980s, she was instrumental in helping her daughter open and operate Christina’s Dog Salon. Ethel also was a proud volunteer tutor in the 2000s at Riverside Elementary School.

Ethel would probably say that some of the most exciting things she’s ever done were spending a month traveling throughout Italy and France, a cross-country train trip with her family to celebrate her 50th Wedding Anniversary, going to Steelers’ games in her late 80s, and seeing Lady Gaga perform live in Cleveland at the fun-loving age of 87.

Her grandchildren were her pride and joy. She gave Branson his first guitar; today he is a Blues guitarist. She loved attending Franchesca’s dance recitals, swim meets, and supported her wholeheartedly through her Master’s and PhD studies. Affectionately known as “GMA,” she attended at least 40 of Natalie’s musical stage performances.

Ethel loved cooking and made most things from scratch. She is known throughout the family for her gourmet meals, including her famous meatloaf recipe. She even made pepperoni rolls for her own 90th birthday party.

For fun, Ethel enjoyed eating out, traveling, going to bingo, thrifting, and cheering on the Steelers. She was an avid bowler and had many 200+ games over the years. With her creative spirit, she designed bowling banquet program covers by hand and made all of her children’s Halloween costumes, many of which were passed to her grandchildren. In the summer, she and Joe Joe enjoyed fishing along the Connoquenessing and weenie roasts with the family.

Ethel loved all animals, especially cats. Over the years, she adopted scores of cats and kittens and nursed many back to health. It is only fitting that the family selected an animal charity for her memorial. Contributions in the name of Ethel Cagni can be made to LC-ARF Lawrence County Animal Relief Fund, P.O. Box 8514, New Castle, PA. 16107.

A Private Celebration of Life will be held at the William Roger’s Memorial Park, main shelter, in Ellport with Rev. R. Tod Custer officiating. Arrangements are entrusted to the Samuel Teolis Funeral Home and Crematory Inc.