Myrtle D. Raffier

Myrtle D. Raffier, 89 of Simsbury, CT and East Hartland, CT formerly of Gilbertville, MA, beloved wife of the late Joseph T. Raffier, died Saturday February 27, 2010 at her home from complications of Alzheimer?s disease with Rosetta her long time caregiver by her side.   She was born in Ware, MA, daughter of the late Frederick J. and Estelle (Gosselin) Ballard. She served 15 years as a foster grandparent with Valley Human Services, Infant & Toddler Center in Ware.   She was also formerly employed by the William E. Wright Co. and Sears & Roebuck.  Myrtle was a member of the Gilbertville Golden Agers Seniors and was a long time parishioner and communicant of St. Aloysius Church in Gilbertville, having been baptized and married there.  She is survived by her daughter, Melanie Sevetz and her husband Mark of East Hartland, CT; her granddaughters, Michelene Sottile and her husband Wayne Johnson of Hilton Head, SC and Nicole Sottile of Avon, CT, her great granddaughter, Chloe Johnson of Hilton Head, her sister, Phyllis Theberge of South Dennis, MA, two special caregivers, Rosetta Reid and Alice Hollis of Companions & Homemakers and her dear friend Liz Griffin.  Besides her husband Joseph, she was predeceased by her son, Joseph T. Raffier, Jr. as well as her brother Russell and sisters Eunice and Rita.  A memorial service will be Saturday, March 6 at 11 a.m. in St. Mary?s Church, 940 Hopmeadow St., Simsbury. A memorial service will be held in the spring in St. Aloysius Church, Gilbertville after which the interment of her ashes will take place in St. Aloysius Cemetery along side her husband.  Memorial contributions may be made to the Farmington Valley VNA, 8 Old Mill Lane, Simsbury, CT 06070 or to the Connecticut Humane Society, 701 Russell Rd., Newington, CT 06111.