Elaine (Josephine) Ventresca Zabel, aged 78, died on September 26, 2021 at her home in Windermere, FL. She was the daughter of Lawerence (Larry) and Marguerite (Marge) Ventresca. And sister of Helen (Ventresca) Nagy.

She is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Raymond Zabel Jr. She is survived by her children: Suzanne Zabel Freyaldenhoven, Sandra Zabel Fleishman, Raymond Michael Zabel, and Sheridan Zabel Rawlings; her grandchildren: Kathryn (Adams) Young, Ryan Adams, Kyle Adams and Rebecca Adams, Emily Fleishman and Ashley Fleishman, Faith Zabel, Jos Rawlings and Samantha Rawlings; and her great-grandchildren: Rosalyn Adams and Elaine Adams.

Elaine was raised in an Italian family in Abington, Philadelphia, PA where she graduated from Melrose Academy and began working as a secretary soon afterwards. She and Raymond met in 1961. They were married in 1963 and began a life and family soon after in Youngstown, OH. They moved to Forest Park, then Hamilton, OH and then later to Keene, then Westmoreland, NH. It was in New Hampshire that she and Raymond became the owners of the Rentorium, and were active members of numerous business groups and associations. Their home was always filled with Elaine's delicious cooking, extended family, friends, and laughter.

After retirement, they lived in Georgetown, SC where they were both highly involved volunteers at Brookgreen Gardens in Murrells Inlet.

After Raymond's death in 2017, Elaine moved to Florida where she could be close to daughter Sandra. She loved her life at Azpira Assisted Living community in Windermere, had many valued friends, and developed a passion for painting.

Elaine was a much loved matriarch and her presence will be hugely missed by all the family, including those listed, her sons-in-law, grandchildren-in-laws, her nephews and their families, and her friends. She was very loved.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Brookgreen Gardens, Murrells Inlet, SC https://www.brookgreen.org/



The family of Elaine Josephine Ventrasca Zabel invites you to leave a message of condolence on the Tribute Wall created in her loving memory.