Raphael Frances Jirik, born in Chicago, Illinois November 24, 1935, was the first of three children (sister June and brother Robert) born to Saverio (Sam) & Bernice (nee Franklin) Eppolito.
At an early age Rae contracted acute pyelonephritis - at the time, an affliction from which many – especially children - did not survive. Her enduring strength during a two-year recovery period so amazed her physicians that she was recorded in the medical books of the day as a standout survivor who beat the odds, and she would continue to amaze all who knew her as she pushed forward through adulthood into a 90lb.(soaking wet) 5ft tall, bodacious powerhouse of spunk with flaming red hair, principled determination, and a zest for life like no other.
Known to friends and family as ‘Rae’ she grew up in Melrose Park, Illinois, attending parochial grammar school, and graduating Leyden Community H.S. where she met and married the father of her two daughters, Donald Glaudell, who predeceased her in 1986.
In the years that followed, Rae would meet her second husband, Edward Jirk, who was 13 years her junior, and they were together for 13 years until his untimely passing in 2001. Not long after Eddie’s death, Rae moved from Chicago to Fort Lauderdale to be near her daughters, Teri Policastro and Tina Kreysar, and, as was her custom, she never looked back.
Rae dearly loved her work in administrative positions that involved connecting directly with customers throughout her career as a dedicated employee of Montgomery Ward and, later on, with Target Corporation. After her move south, she went to work at the Coral Ridge store where she met her supervisor, Billy. Billy and Rae became the best of friends during her 18-year tenure with Target, and she absolutely loved her position in the fitting room on her feet all day until she retired at the age of 84 due to the onset of COVID in 2019. She only left the position because our family begged her to do so for fear she might contract the virus. Rae never missed a day of work except for the time she had a fall at home down the basement staircase and did not report to work that morning. The next day, her coworkers realized there was a problem when there was no answer at Rae’s home, and they called the police. Turns out she had somehow managed to crawl up the entire flight of stairs with a shattered arm and broken leg, and was able reach a bottle of plum wine in the bottom shelf of the refrigerator that would keep her alive for two days until the fire department broke in. Once again, Rae managed to thrill and amaze the ER doctors with her resilience and self-discipline. She was truly unstoppable!
Rae had a passion for reading - especially true crime and celebrity biographies (because autobiographies can never be trusted!). She also loved animals, sugary sweet cocktails, good Italian food, a spotless apartment mod-style fashion statements, and an excellent manicure. Rae was fiercely independent in all aspects of living until the very end and an inspiring role model to everyone who was lucky enough to know her. She lived well, aged with grace, and never lost her joie de vivre.
Rae is survived by her two daughters, Teri Policastro & Tina Kreysar, son-in-law Peter Policastro, and grandson Luke Kreysar. We can never fill the giant space that has been left behind with Rae’s loss, but we are forever grateful for being a part of hers.
A mass of christian burial for Raphael will be held Tuesday, May 7, 2024 at 9:30 AM at St. Anthony Catholic Church, 901 NE 2nd St, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301. Interment will take place in Evergreen Cemetery, 1300 SE 10th Ave, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301.
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