Tracey S. Koff

Tracey was born on August 8, 1955, in Meriden, and was the daughter of the late Warren M. Stephan and Almira (Forster) Stephan. A dedicated educator, she began her career as a middle school science teacher inspiring young minds with her interactive approach to teaching. She later served with distinction as Principal of Keigwin Middle School in Middletown, where she touched countless lives through her leadership, compassion, and commitment to education.

Tracey also had a deep love for traveling the world alongside her husband, embracing each journey with curiosity and wonder. Together, they explored places near and far, including Africa, Switzerland, South America, Peru and Ecuador, Hawaii, Alaska, and Arizona, while cherishing their treasured yearly family trips to Cape Cod. She delighted in discovering new cultures and experiences, then returning home eager to share what she learned—both through heartfelt storytelling and the many photo books she lovingly created. Born with a true musical gift, Tracey had a beautiful voice and found joy in singing wherever she could, whether at her late father’s theater, in the church choir, during holiday caroling, or softly to her beloved grandchildren.

Tracey found joy in life’s simplest and most meaningful moments. She loved spending time at her lake house, where she could garden, bask in the sunlight, and enjoy the peace of the outdoors. An avid card creator and devoted reader, she poured creativity and care into everything she did, including faithfully recreating her father’s special fudge recipe every holiday season with her husband. In retirement, Tracey gave back generously, volunteering at school events, at the Meriden Soup Kitchen, and eagerly lending her hands to any project that came her way. She was a pillar in her community and a dear friend to many. Above all else, her most cherished and exciting role was that of Grammadoo. She attended every baseball, basketball and soccer game, musical concert, marching band competition, drama performance, Boy Scout ceremony, and school activity she could, loving her grandchildren with her whole heart and every part of her being.

In addition to her husband Michael, Tracey is survived by her loving children, Sarah Focarile and her husband Mark of Southington, and Nicholas Koff of Los Angeles, California. She was a proud and devoted grandmother to Benjamin, Nathan, and Jackson Focarile, and Wild Sunday.

She also leaves her sisters, Wendy Manciagli and her husband John of Jensen Beach, Florida, Melanie Del Sole and her husband Michael of Middletown, and Tammy Nettleton of Tulsa, Oklahoma, as well as several cherished nieces and nephews.

No matter where Tracey has moved on in this next life, we know that she will always “stay close” to us forever. HDGB❤️

Calling hours will be held at DellaVecchia Funeral Home, 211 N. Main St., Southington from 9:00am-12:00pm on Saturday January 24th. There will be a 1:00pm service to follow at First United Methodist Church,159 E. Main St., Meriden. Burial is private and at the convenience of the family.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Five P minus society (fivepminus.org) or to the Meriden Soup Kitchen in Tracey’s memory.

To leave a message of remembrance for her family, please visit, www.DellaVecchiaSouthington.com