Heather Raggi, a first- and third-grade teacher at Starpoint Central School District for seventeen years, passed away on July 10, 2026, at the age of 41.
She was a resident of the Town of Pendleton, New York, and had spent nearly two decades shaping the lives of young students in her community.
Born in Niagara Falls on January 12, 1985, Heather was the daughter of Paul H. Link and the late Kimberly J. Link. She graduated from Niagara Wheatfield and later attended Niagara University before beginning her long career in education.
Colleagues and former students often described her warmth and the way she made every child in her classroom feel valued.
A Devoted Mother and Wife
Those who knew Heather say her family always came first. She shared twelve years of marriage with her husband, Anthony M. Raggi, who stood by her through every challenge.
Her two children, Kaden and Kylah, were described in her obituary as the center of her world, and she rarely missed a chance to cheer them on at their sports games and school activities.
She is also survived by her father, her brother Ryan and his wife Jill, nieces Avery and Ellie, sister-in-law Angela Raggi, brother-in-law Nathan Raggi, and a wide circle of extended family and friends.
Friends Share Memories of Her Strength
Online tributes have poured in describing Heather’s courage during a difficult health battle in recent months. One childhood friend, who said she had known Heather since middle school, recalled a recent girls’ trip where the group got matching tattoos to mark her resilience.
She remembered Heather repeating one phrase throughout the weekend, saying she was simply grateful to be there. That sentiment, friends say, became something of a rallying cry among her close circle.
Another family friend described Heather as a remarkable wife, mother, daughter, sister and friend who faced her illness with bravery and unwavering love for her family, adding that her kindness and courage would continue to live on in the memories of those who loved her.
Family and friends will gather for visitation at the Rhoney Funeral Home in Sanborn on Wednesday, July 15, from 2 to 6 p.m., with funeral services to follow at 6 p.m. the same evening. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that memorial donations be made to Niagara Hospice in Heather’s honor.
Heather’s legacy, those close to her say, will be carried forward through her students, her friends, and above all through her children, who remain, as she often said, the very reason behind everything she did.
