Isabel (Rana) Raffa

Isabel (Rana) Raffa, one hell of a run. 36,757 days, 100 & 3/4 years, 3 ½ months shy of her 101st birthday and never a complaint; Lots of yelling at three boys but never heard a complaint passed away on Tuesday, May 19, 2020, after a brief illness, joining in heaven her husband Philip and son, Steven.

Isabel born in Worcester, the daughter of Paolo and Donate (Scaglione) Rana. Raised and educated in Worcester, she married Philip P. Raffa, in Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, enjoying the next 37 years raising their three boys with devotion, family and faith. Philip passed away in July of 1984. Isabel worked as a seamstress as well as a school lunch guard for many years.

Isabel is survived by two sons, Frank P. Raffa and his partner Laura McCormick of Worcester and Philip P. Raffa of Shrewsbury; a daughters-in-law, Marion Ritacco, Lucia Raffa and Lynn Raffa; four granddaughters, Tracie Hammond, Dena Raffa and her husband Matthew Mayerhofer, Katie Raffa and Gianna Raffa; a grandson, Joseph Raffa; four great grandchildren, Jake, Talia, Vincenzo and Luca; nieces, nephews and extended family members. Besides her parents, husband and son, four siblings, Peter, Maurice and John Rana and a sister, Julia Scaglione predeceased her.

Faith was very important to Isabel. She was an active member of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, its Golden Years, Women’s Guild, Catholic Daughters and Our Lady of Sorrows Organizations. She was also a member of the American Legion Eastside Post 201, Ladies Auxiliary, a group of high schools who remained a part of each other’s lives called “The Club.”

The family would like to offer special thanks to Pat Lazerak and the entire staff at Summit Eldercare for their excellent care and to Isabel’s dedicated home health aides, Joni Mitchell, Elvira and Diana Cruz, and Juana Pena for all their loving care.

Isabel’s funeral will be held Wednesday, May 27th at 11:00 am in the MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation St. Her service can be view online at www.mercadantefuneral.com and clicking Live Services. In lieu of flowers memorial remembrances in her name can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, P.O. Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090-6011 or to Summit Eldercare Activities Fund, 1369 Grafton St., Worcester, MA. 01604