The Life of Mrs. Candace B. Raveis
Candace Raymond Raveis, "Candy", was a beloved wife, mother, daughter, sister, and friend, whose loving heart and acts of kindness often brought communities and people together. She was a model of devotion to her family, extended family, and fellow volunteers and will be known for her endless contributions to local boards, educational organizations, and advocacy groups on behalf of those in need. In addition to her many volunteer activities, Candy was an extraordinary artist and designer. Her keen eye for detail and the creative arts resonates in the warm and inviting ambiance at both family homes, in her magnificent gardens, and throughout the dozens of William Raveis offices that she expertly decorated over 25 years.
Born on February 25, 1947, in Bridgeport, CT to Louis and Alyce C. Raymond, Candy was the youngest of four children. She and Bill Raveis were married on September 11, 1999. Much of Candy's early childhood was spent with friends, in the pool of the Brooklawn Country Club, sailing the Long Island Sound, skiing in Vermont, and attending the French-speaking Ecole Champlain summer camp. Her education began at the Kathleen Laycock School (now Greens Farms Academy) in Westport, CT, and The Knox School in St. James, NY. She then went on to hone her considerable dramatic skills at Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri, where she performed in musical productions, and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Voice and Theater.
Candy Raveis was beautiful, kind, smart, loving, talented and undeniably tough - all at the same time. From hosting her legendary Christmas parties, nurturing the couple's exquisite gardens at Applewood, their home in Fairfield, CT, which was showcased in At Home magazine, to decorating William Raveis offices, she embodied the soul of a poet with an amazing gift to see and express beauty. Her ability to create loving environments and joy all around her were testimony to her being called "La La"-after the film La La Land-by her many grandchildren.
Her design creativity and zeal for high-end touches is evident in the William Raveis Real Estate offices, from the inclusion of the fun centerpiece red leather couch at Shelton headquarters to how she brought her hand-picked bolts of fabric and personal sewing machine to the William Raveis Norwell office 20 years ago to make window treatments that were both welcoming and well-appointed. Recently, Candy renovated the Guilford office, a true team effort that included orchestrating "Billy" in the meticulous placement of furnishings!
Likewise, Candy opened her home for company celebrations and gatherings, including annual award events and apple picking, sharing her gracious hospitality with the entire William Raveis business family. In addition to her passion for collecting antiques with a history and story, she mastered the art of "shelling" in her later years, using her creative genius to assemble breathtaking museum-quality masterpieces while enjoying the companionship of her beloved Yorkshire puppies.
"Candy was the most talented, most generous, and most thoughtful woman I have ever met in my life. Every day I felt blessed to have had her presence and love in my life." -Bill Raveis
Candy shined everywhere she went with her endless compassion, philanthropy, and leadership, especially in her local communities. Together, as a teenager, with her mother, she volunteered at a local hospital to raise funds for the American Cancer Society. Over the years, she has given timeless service to charities and foundations focused on helping others in need, including the Boards of The Fairfield Historical Society, Special Olympics of Connecticut, Woodfield Family Services, Grasmere Elder Care, The Near and Far Aid Association, and The Fairfield Christmas Tree Festival, dedicated to women and children in crisis, the homeless, and housing for the mentally challenged and critical care. With a shared interest in education, she and Bill assisted the Mercy Learning Center in Bridgeport, CT.
In Florida, Candy was a board member of The Naples Shelter Center for Abused Women and Children, and supported the Guadalupe Center, which offers educational programs for children through college graduation. At the Port Royal Club, she was Chairwoman of the Entertainment Committee to the delight of all club members. Giving back to their local community, the couple donated an 11,000 square-foot building, providing free medical and blood-health services at the Neighborhood Health Clinic in Naples, FL, to be dedicated in honor of Candy and William Raveis.
Candy lived with acute myeloid leukemia for the last ten years of her life and embodied an extraordinary combination of joy, bravery, and resilience. She was known as "The Legend" among her doctors and caregivers, who witnessed her strength, grace, and perpetual positivity every day
.Candy died peacefully, on the morning of October 20, 2023, surrounded by her loving husband, family, and close friends. She was pre-deceased by her parents, Louis and Alyce Raymond, and her daughter-in-law, Meghan Raveis. She is survived by her husband of twenty-four years, William "Bill" Raveis, Jr., stepchildren Laurie Raveis and her husband Dennis Kole of Bellingham, WA, Chris Raveis of Rowayton, CT, Ryan Raveis of Fairfield, CT, and six grandchildren, Eleanor, Conor, Dane, Laci, Charlotte, and Will Raveis. Also surviving her are siblings in Fairfield, CT, John Raymond, Roger Raymond, and Melissa Raymond Barnes, along with their spouses and children and several nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to the William Raveis Charitable Fund for cancer research at https://raveischaritablefund.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=donate.event&eventID=565.