Raffaella Campolongo

True soul mate to Luigi for 59 years. Most loving and nurturing Mother to her best friend and Daughter Elina and Son-in-law Alan Biason. Dedicated and cherished Mother to her Son Joe (Giuseppe) and Daughter-in-law Julia Campolongo. The light of her life, her granddaughter Rachel Campolongo, who she adored deeply. Raffaella is reunited with her parents Carmela (née Genovese) and Innocenzo Prato and her brother Domenico Prato, and is survived by her beloved sister Maria Marini.

Raffaella carried the imprints of her roots deeply, maintaining lifelong bonds with family and friends from her beloved hometown of San Donato di Ninea Calabria. She was always on the phone catching up with someone from back home, her conversations filled with laughter, stories, and love. Here, she built another family at her bocce club, where she and her husband shared countless games, memories, and friendships, and where she loved bragging about her big 20-cent wins playing cards.

Raffaella gave of herself without asking for anything in return. Her care was instinctive and she carried your burdens like they were her own. Raffaella had a quiet strength like no other. Her nurturing didn’t come from obligation, it came from deep love. Her love wasn’t loud, it was in the quiet gestures that spoke volumes.

Raffaelina had a heart as open as her door. Her home always carried the scent of something delicious in the air and a fresh pot of espresso on the stove. Somehow, as if by magic, there was always a full meal waiting, no matter what time you walked in. She loved having people over and made everyone feel like family. Her laugh was contagious, and nothing brought more joy than watching her and her husband bicker in the most loving way, like a real-life comedy duo. The kind of light-hearted fun and love you remember forever.

She was always ready with a needle in hand, whether it was sewing socks, hemming pants, or fixing whatever anyone needed. She passed down those skills with love, teaching her granddaughter stitch by stitch just like she had once learned.

Her family was her whole world and she was ours. She poured her heart into raising her children and granddaughter with tenderness, strength, and a love so strong it shaped our lives. She showed up every single day with food, with care, with unconditional love. Her devotion was the heartbeat of our family, and her presence was the glue that held us all together.

She wasn’t just our Nonna, she was everyone’s Nonna. Everyone’s Zia. The kind of woman who made you feel like you belonged, even if you weren’t family by blood.

We were the lucky ones. To be loved by her was to be held in the safest place on earth.

il nostro angelo sulla terra ora è un angelo in paradiso

Visitation will be held on Thursday, June 26, 2025 at Markey Dermody Funeral Home, 1774 King Street E., Hamilton, from 4-8 PM. A Funeral Service will be held in the funeral home chapel on Friday, June 27, 2025 at 1:00 PM. Entombment to follow at Holy Sepulchre Catholic Cemetery and Mausoleum. Online condolences may be shared at www.markeydermody.com