Carmena Raffaele

Carmena Raffaele, age 101, of Sault Ste. Marie, passed away peacefully at War Memorial Hospital Long Term Care on July 24, 2019. She was born on April 24, 1918 to James and Mary (Paris) Raffaele. Carmena attended St. Mary’s School and graduated from Loretto Academy in 1936. Following graduation she worked at The Temple Theater and The Sault Evening News. In June of 1944 she joined the United States Navy. She was stationed in Oakland California and honorably discharged two years later in June of 1946. From Oakland she moved to Washington D.C. and where she worked for a congressman until her return to Sault Ste. Marie in 1951. She worked for both United Airlines and Capitol Airlines and in 1961 opened her own travel agency, The Travel Centre, which she owned and operated until 1986. While it was a one-woman operation when started, at the time of sale in 1986 it had grown to a staff of four. She was very well traveled and led several tours to Europe. Carmena was a past president of the Loretto Mothers Club, past president of the Christopher Columbus Ladies Auxiliary, and the first editor of the Christopher Columbus Italian Society newsletter. Carmena is survived by her son James (Kim) Raffaele, sister Marianne Raffaele, her two grandchildren Carl Raffaele and Jimmy Raffaele. Great-grandchildren C.J. (Emily) Raffaele, Tyler (Jaclyn) Raffaele, and Samantha Raffaele, and great-great-granddaughter Thea Rose Raffaele. Her niece Lynette Atkins and nephew Raymond Raffaele also survive her. Carmena was predeceased by her parents and her brother Tony and sister-in-law Marilyn Raffaele. Carmena will always be remembered as the quintessential elegant woman, always the perfect lady. The family would like to thank the staff at War Memorial Hospital Long Term Care for the wonderful, loving care they gave to Carmena this past year. Visitation will take place at St. Mary’s Church on Wednesday July 31 from 10:00am-12:00pm with the funeral Mass at 12:00pm with Father Ben Paris officiating. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to St. Mary’s Catholic School, or WMH Long Term Care Bus Fund attn: Katie Peabody. Arrangements are in the care of Clark Bailey Newhouse Funeral Home & Cremation Center. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.clarkbaileynewhouse.com.

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Carmena Raffaele

April 24, 1918 - July 24, 2019