Mary Rafala

With love and gratitude, the family of Mary (Catalano) Rafala announces her passing into God's Kingdom on Sunday, January 3, 2016. Mary died peacefully at her residence in Newington, CT, and is now re-united with her beloved husband Carmelo (Carl) Rafala (January 15, 1998). She was the treasured daughter of Francisco and Francesca (Lisi) Catalano, as well as Maria (Lisi) Catalano after the early passing of Mary's mother Francesca. Following graduation from Bulkeley High School, she was a proud employee of the Travelers Insurance Co. until her marriage. Carl and Mary were devoted to one another for 51 years, until his passing. Together they successfully owned and operated Rafala's Food Outlet in Hartford, CT, for 23 years. Upon retiring, they maintained residences in Dania, FL and Rocky Hill, CT. Although quiet and ladylike, Mary possessed a strong work ethic and an intense devotion to family. Creative to the core, Mary was a diarist from grammar school days well into her ninth decade, and her needle working skills were breathtaking. Mary will be remembered for her immeasurable compassion for others; ability to listen and offer wise council; un-conditional love of God and family; easy laughter; enjoyment of music, as well as classic and sci-fi movies; a beautiful smile; and mostly her purity of heart. Her three parents, three half-brothers Patrick, James, and Frank Catalano, and her greatly beloved husband Carl Rafala predeceased Mary. Surviving to celebrate her 94 years of life and passing to glory, are daughter Lois R. Sbalcio and husband Sebastian, son Carl and wife Susan Krupenevich-Rafala, daughter Carol R. Peluso and husband Michael, granddaughter Stephanie (Sbalcio) Polzella and husband Damon, grandson Matthew Sbalcio, grandson Jared Rafala and wife Claire, grandson Mark Rafala and wife Elizabeth, granddaughter Sarah Rafala, granddaughter Natalie Peluso and husband Ryan Boyd, granddaughter Marissa Peluso and partner Noah Miller, and former daughter in-law, Deborah C. Rafala. Mary was also blessed with four beautiful great-grandchildren, Benjamin, Isaac, Isobel and Carmelo. In addition, she leaves behind a number of in-laws, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. The family would like to give thanks to the entire staff of Cedar Mountain Commons for the expert care and consideration given to our dear mother over the years, with special appreciation to Sharon Shorter and Lynn Harper. There she met many wonderful people and leaves behind faithful friends Irene, Mary, and Shirley. Last but not least, a heartfelt thank you to Mary's personal caregiver, the wonderful Donna Wright, who instantly became a treasured member of our family. Her loving, tender care and kindness to our mother will always be appreciated and remembered. Under the professional attention of the D'Esopo Funeral Chapel, all funeral and burial services were handled privately. Memorial donations in Mary C. Rafala's name may be made to the American Heart Association , 5 Brookside Drive, Wallingford, CT 06492 or the Arthritis Foundation , 35 Cold Spring Road, Suite 411, Rocky Hill, CT 06067. For on-line expressions of sympathy or to share a memory of Mary, please visit www.desopo.com.