Wife of Former Costa Mesa Mayor Dom Raciti Dies at 67

Teresa Marie Raciti, wife of former Costa Mesa Mayor Dom Raciti, died Saturday at home after a long illness. She was 67.

Mrs. Raciti, a native of Calabria, Italy, had been a Costa Mesa resident since 1957 and was active in community service. She was a past president of the Costa Mesa Women’s Club and a member of the Costa Mesa Lionettes, the women’s auxiliary of the Lions Club.

A founding member and officer of the Costa Mesa Art League, she taught oil painting and crafts at the Costa Mesa Girls Club, and her oil paintings hung at Costa Mesa City Hall for years. She also worked at the family jewelry store in downtown Costa Mesa. One of her hobbies was cooking, and she contributed recipes to culinary shows.

She is survived by her husband, who was a Costa Mesa councilman from 1972 to 1980. He was elected mayor in 1976. Mrs. Raciti is also survived by a son, Robert Raciti of Tustin, two grandchildren, a sister and a brother.

Burial will be Wednesday at 11 a.m. Viewing will be from 4 to 9 p.m. today, and the rosary will be at 7 tonight.

The family is requesting memorial contributions to the Wellness Community-Orange County, 660 Newport Center Drive, Suite 800, Newport Beach, Calif. 92660.