Carolyn Anne (Peterson) Rava

Carolyn (Peterson) Rava, 89, passed away on February 18, 2023, in her Perrysburg home surrounded by her family. She was born in Ontonagon, MI, on July 21, 1933. Carolyn was raised on the shores of Lake Superior in the Porcupine Mountains region of the Upper Peninsula, MI, where she established many lifelong friends.

Carolyn graduated from Ontonagon High School in 1951 having participated on the cheerleading squad and played clarinet in the band. She relocated to the Chicago area where she earned her Registered Nurse diploma from the Augustana School of Nursing in Evanston, IL. Carolyn accepted a summer job in 1954 as a camp nurse in Eagle River, WI, where she met her future husband, Al Rava, who was employed as a camp counselor. They were married on Nov 24, 1956 in Chicago, IL, and settled in Perrysburg, Ohio where they raised their 6 children.

Carolyn’s career as Registered Nurse was put on hold for many years while she raised her 6 children. She returned to the nursing field as an RN at the former Heartland of Perrysburg where she was an esteemed professional on the healthcare team for nearly 20 years. After her retirement from Heartland, she remained active by serving 21 years as a member of the Wood County Board of Health, having been appointed by the mayor of Perrysburg in 1999.

Carolyn Rava was predeceased by her husband of 66 years, Oswald (Al) Rava, parents Carl and Mayme (Waisanen) Peterson, and sister Marlene Vann. She is survived by her brother Dr. John Peterson, children Randy Rava, Alan Rava (Linda), Marc Rava, Lisa Condon (Jeffrey), Andrea Fischer (Brian), and Mary Miller (Jeffrey), 13 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

Interment will be at St. Rose Catholic Cemetery in Perrysburg following private services. In lieu of flowers, donations in Carolyn’s memory may be made to Hospice of Northwest Ohio or St. Rose Parish. Arrangements were entrusted to Witzler-Shank-Walker Funeral Home-Perrysburg.