Winifred A. (Ambrose) Raffaele, 83, died peacefully at home in Newtown on Saturday, July 5, 2025.
Winifred Raffaele, 83, passed away on July 4. Her wake and funeral were on Wednesday, July 9.
A longtime resident of Darien, Winnie was born on June 23, 1942 in Port Chester, New York. She later moved to Stamford, where she met her high-school sweetheart, Patrick M. Raffaele. The two were married for 60 years and raised three children together.
A dedicated member of St. John’s Parish, Winnie spent many years as a homemaker before earning her associates 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 shipshape 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 received friends on Wednesday morning, July 9, at Lawrence Funeral Home, and a Mass of Christian Burial took place at St John Roman Catholic Church, followed by interment at Spring Grove Cemetery.
Donations can be made in Winnie’s honor to Person to Person, the American Stroke Association, and Newtown EMS.
— an obituary from Lawrence Funeral Home, where online condolences may be left