Claritza & Ragan
Wedding Party
Claritza Natalia Pacheco Gomez
Bride
Named after her grandmother Natalia (Mama Talin), Claritza Natalia Pacheco Gomez (Clary), was born in La Isabela and grew up in Santo Domingo with her parents, 5 siblings, boarders and a large extended family. Clary was daddy's girl and her beloved father, Quirino Pacheco, was passionate about education, history, arts, and sports, inspiring her to be competitive and a great student. Clary practiced gymnastic, tennis, martial arts, played guitar and loves the Red Sox. With a computer engineering degree from DR, she won a scholarship to attend NYU. In 1990, she moved to Boston to start her family, attended BU, Suffolk and West Virginia Universities. A devoted mother, daughter, professor, community activist and a tech professional, Ragan is ever amazed and declares her a keeper!
A. A. Ragan McNeely
Groom
In New Haven, first born of four, Ragan was given three family names. His first memories are of Cambridge, but his family soon moved to Beacon Hill, across from his dad's first big job. Unlike his dad, Ragan decided he wanted to design smaller things, products, instead instead of big empty buildings. Chasing the great outdoors to the West Coast, he attended the U. of Oregon, studied geography, designed a crazy-making chair and eventually returned east, driving a VW bus. Then Ragan decided the world didn't need more stuff and quite bewildered, entered psychoanalysis. He learned more about people, earned a Master's Degree in Psychoanalysis and started helping people to know themselves better. Along the way, he was deeply blessed with two sons and hopes to create a new life with Claritza!
Susan McWhinney-Morse
Mother of the Groom
Susan, Wowo to her grandchildren, was born in Denver, attended Smith College, studied Art History and moved to NYC to work at an advertising firm - think Mad Men! A friend lured her to New Haven for a blind date with an architecture student - James McNeely. They married! In New Haven, Ragan was born, then Randy. Jim, right hand to a famous architect, moved the family to Beacon Hill for work. Sarah and Madeline came along. Needing purpose, Susan marched at Selma, Led the Beacon Hill Civic Association, joined a reading club, now 50 years strong, the house filled with boarders. Susan left Jim and returned to work. She met David, who cared for everyone, they dated and traveled for 28 years before marrying! Susan co-founded the world's first virtual retirement community - Beacon Hill Village!
Alfida Elena Gomez-Pacheco
Mother of the Bride
Alfida was born in La Isabela, DR. A devoted mother who, along with her deceased husband of 50 years, Quirino Antonio Pacheco, raised 5 children with a very strong work ethic and solid family values. Since childhood, Alfida was very entrepreneurial, helping her mother when her dad passed (at 6 years old) and later supporting her own household. A compassionate leader in her community and in the Catholic Church, she is as a faith evangelist: She hosted a radio show for years to promote the Catholic doctrine in MA. She supports her home town as a founder and board member of many community organizations. She ships wheelchairs and mobility equipment to the elderly and disabled in DR. Alfida a is mentor to many. She also dearly loves traveling, gardening and cooking for her family and friends.
Anthony Julian Abreu
Bridesman
With a strong and assertive personality, Anthony is Claritza's oldest son. Anthony was born in Cambridge and grew-up in Randolph, MA. Anthony attended UMass Boston where he graduated with honors in Finance and International Business. He currently works at a global payment technology company in downtown Boston as a Sales Executive. Anthony loves traveling and recently returned from Amsterdam and Indonesia. His favorite sport is Football. Anthony carries the first name of his both grandfathers and his multi-generation middle name of his great grandfather.
Christian Aurelio Abreu
Bridesman
Claritza's youngest son, Christian was born in Boston and grew-up in Randolph. He is very friendly and active, currently attending college at UMass Boston in the Information Systems and Information Security program. Christian works part-time and is very passionate about sports, particularly basketball. He played varsity basketball at Randolph HS, receiving recognition as a great player and team member. Christian carries a multi-generation middle name through his father and great grandfather.
Aidan McNeely
Groomsman
Ragan's oldest son, Aidan was born the day before Ragan's 40th birthday. Aidan says he's "just a 19 year old innocent kid," but he is an extraordinary young man. Aidan attends Perkins School for the Blind, which he favorably compares to Hogwarts. At Perkins, Aidan has worked the cafe, manned the security desk, arranged flowers with the elderly and managed to keep himself very effectively Zoom engaged through the pandemic. Every winter Aidan skis on a bi-ski at Wachusett, he rides horses the rest of the year. He's served as a guest lecturer on Adaptive Technology for Professor Abreu's IT class at Cambridge College. Aidan is an extraordinary visual artist. He's traveled Europe and even attended NASA SCIVIS Space Camp! Follow Aidan on YouTube and friend him on FaceBook to keep up with him!
Ciarán McNeely
Groomsman
Ragan's younger, taller son Ciarán attends Cambridge Rindge and Latin School, where he's successfully survived a junior year of virtual classes, AP and all! Before pandemic, he played volleyball and roamed freely all over Boston with a small cohort of peers he's known since elementary school. Summers, he's attended camp, bicycled around Nova Scotia, traveled Europe, hiked the Adirondacks, even worked at McDonald's into last Fall. Now, when not in school, Ciarán is out taking pictures with his Grandad's old Leicia and spending time with his gorgeous girlfriend. With model like looks and more cool and charisma than any kid should have, Ciarán looks like he's already attending college, where he's determined he'll probably study oceanography, because he wants to take up scuba diving!
Teresa Sanchez
Bridesmaid
One of Claritza's best friends, Tere was born in La Isabela, Puerto Plata, DR. She moved to Boston more than 10 years ago, with her two children, Maria Mercedes and Juan Antonio. Tere graduated from Business Administration and completed graduate courses in business in Spain. Tere owns a men's tailoring business in downtown Boston and a catering business on the side. She is passionate about cooking and has great taste in everything else she does. Tere has been part of Claritza and Ragan's story from the very beginning.
Ingrid Peralta
Bridesmaid
Ingrid is one of Claritza's best friends, married to Nelson, one of Claritza's closest cousins. Ingrid was born in Santiago de los Caballeros, DR. Ingrid completed college in the DR and studied Information Systems and Finance. She and her husband emigrated to the USA 18 years ago, where they welcomed their twin children Emily and John. Ingrid works at a commercial event management company in the Finance Department. Ingrid loves cooking and hosting house parties. She has been part of Claritza and Ragan's story from the very beginning.
Alfida Elena Pacheco de Diaz
Bridesmaid
Alfida Diaz is Claritza's sister and her best friend. La "chichi" the baby of the Pacheco-Gomez family, was born in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic where she graduated from Business Administration and Marketing Management. "Alfidita", as the family calls her, emigrated to Boston in 2002 with her husband Marcos and her son Juliano to join Claritza and the rest of her family. In 2007, Alfidita relocated to Orlando, Florida where, along with her husband, founded SignsVW, a successful printing and marketing company that is nowadays a model of large print innovation businesses in the Central Florida region. Alfidita, a hardworking mother, loves boating, swimming and gatherings with friends and family.
Madeline DuPre McNeely, M.Ed.
Officiant
The youngest of four, Madeline was a scrappy survivor, who became an elegant and tenacious warrior. She attended Boston Latin, ventured to Oregon to attend Lewis and Clark, completed an M.Ed. in Dance at Temple, worked in the not-for-profit world, started her own consulting business as a Leadership Coach and has never looked back. Madeline is many things to many people. To Rhiannon, mother, Susan, daughter, Ragan, youngest sister, to Aidan and Ciarán, auntie. To countless others Madeline is Board Member, Coach, Consultant, Instructor (at HBS!), Facilitator, community leader, inspirer, conscience, guide, Goddess... And here she is Officiant. It will be joyful to have Madeline lead Claritza and Ragan and their loved ones, through this fantastic celebration!
Rhiannon Ryan DuPre Esposito
Singer
Rhiannon, named after the Fleetwood Mac song, is an aspiring singer/musical theatre performer. At one, she was mesmerized by the kids in Church Choir; she joined them at eight and has been singing ever since. This summer they sang at Wells and Salisbury Cathedrals. She's done Rock Band Camp, sang Beatles covers, Rhythmic Gymnastics, the Musical Theatre Middle School program at Berklee. When not on stage, she practices electric guitar and piano for her school Jazz Band. Rhiannon is a serious political organizer, activist, peer leader, anxious to solve 21st century problems. She created a World Issues and Politics Club at her middle school; she spoke at Families Organizing for Racial Justice. Her email signature reads: “Activist/Singer/Musician/Actress, have fun and spread love.”
Dania Cantizano
Violinist and Orchestra Director
Dania Cantizano, inspired by her father, a renowned Dominican musician, began her musical training at very early age, taking music appreciation classes at the Grand Theater of Cibao, violin lessons at the School of Fine Arts, and private lessons with prestigious musicians. She completed studies in Dental Medicine at the PUCMM followed by her specialty in Oral Rehabilitation in Argentina, she exercises her profession without abandoning her passion for music and violin. Along with father, Leonel Cantizano, founded the Santiago Metropolitan Orchestra, joined by professional musicians, who share their passion for music.
Isabella A. Gutierrez Abreu
Flower Girl
Isabella Aurora was born in New York City and moved at the age of 6 months to La Grande, Oregon with her parents Heidi Abreu and Jose Dionisio Gutierrez. Since the day she was born she has been a quiet observer, paying attention to all details around her, which has made her a great puzzle solver and a very logical person, she knows how to use facts and logic when is time to win an argument. Isabella is an avid reader of science fiction books and among her favorites are the Wings of Fire series and Harry Potter. She loves to swim and her favorite animal is the sea turtle. She enjoys playing piano since she was 5 years old, bike riding, legos, watching sitcoms, painting and playing with her dog Justice. She loves the beach and traveling to the DR to visit family and is fluent in Spanish.
Nicolas Gutierrez Abreu
Flower Child
Nicolas Jose is a 10 years old boy, born in La Grande Oregon from his Dominican parents Heidi Abreu and Jose Dionisio Gutierrez. Since very early in life he has been very sharp and quick so he quickly learned numbers and letters. He’s very energetic enthusiastic and funny which has made him a natural leader, kids of all ages enjoy his electric presence. Words and letters are easy for him so he is an excellent speller. He has been traveling to the DR every year to visit grandparents and extended family which makes him very fluent in Spanish. He loves the beach and enjoy spending the summers in the DR. He loves to swim, play the piano and ukulele. His other hobbies are playing bay blades, Pokémon games and building legos. He also loves facts books, one of his favorites is Weird But True.
Elena Gutierrez Abreu
Flower Girl
Elena Colette Gutierrez was born on a winter Wednesday morning on January 22nd in La Grande, Oregon. She is the youngest of the Gutierrez-Abreu family and the sassiest of all. Since her early years she has a sense of style, she likes to combine colors, clothes and jewelry. She loves to model her dresses and creates fashion shows with her friends. You could say Elena was born an artist as she loves to draw and to paint everywhere, she can also create a song from scratch during any conversation. Her favorite animal is the horse and of course unicorns. She really, I mean, REALLY loves princesses and her favorite one is Ariel. She is fluent in Spanish. She has been visiting the DR since early age. Her favorite things at the beach are to float in the ocean and to make sand castles.