Winifred Raffaele Obituary

Winifred Ann Raffaele
Winifred A. (Ambrose) Raffaele, 83, died peacefully at home in Newtown, CT on Saturday, July 5, 2025. A longtime resident of Darien, Winnie was born on June 23, 1942 in Port Chester, NY. She later moved to Stamford, CT where she met her high school sweetheart, Patrick M. Raffaele. The two were married for sixty years and raised three children together.
A dedicated member of St. John's Parish, Winnie spent many years as a homemaker before earning her associate's degree in secretarial arts. After her husband's early retirement, the two spent time in Italy, cooked delicious food, and traveled between homes in Connecticut, Florida, and Vermont. No matter where she lived, Winnie was armed with an up-to-date address book and loved checking in with friends, either in person or over the phone. She took pride in keeping a ship-shape house but always made time for an afternoon snack in front of General Hospital. Her cosmopolitans were also excellent.
In her free time, Winnie used her backyard tennis court for family lessons, as well as the occasional rollerblading rink for a grandchild, and she loved trips to Noroton Beach. She had an eye for fashion-particularly at the Darien Sport Shop and Lord & Taylor-and a fondness for an Estée Lauder red lip.
Winnie was predeceased by her parents, Daniel Ambrose and Winifred (Schmeiler) Petrucelli, and her husband.
She is survived by her sisters, Elaine Suda and Marilyn Fava; her children, Eileen Warren, Jillien Drake, and Patrick Raffaele, Jr.; three grandchildren; four grandpets; one great-grandpet; and a robust hat collection.
The family will receive friends at Lawrence Funeral Home, 2119 Post Rd., Darien, on Wednesday, July 9, from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial will take place at St. John RC Church, 1986 Post Rd. in Darien, at 11 a.m., followed by Interment at Spring Grove Cemetery in Darien. Donations can be made in Winnie's honor to Person to Person, the American Stroke Association, and Newtown EMS.