Raffaela Ann Hourin

Raffaela Ann Hourin (Scalzo), age 86, of Roxbury, Connecticut, passed away peacefully on December 31, 2025. She was born on July 12, 1939, in Danbury, CT, the daughter of Anthony Scalzo and Rose Scalzo (DeGrazia).

Raffaela lived a life rooted in community, family, and quiet impact. She was a proud member of the Connecticut Earth Action Group and played a key role in establishing the first recycling station in Danbury, long before sustainability became a household word. She dedicated many years to nurturing young minds as a preschool teacher with the Danbury Head Start program before later retiring from the Danbury Superior Court.

In her younger years, Raffaela loved competing with her roller-skating team at Candlewood Arena, a passion that reflected her energy and determination. She was an avid gardener who found joy in watching things grow and had a true talent for finding the best bargains at the thrift store. Above all, she cherished time spent with her grandchildren and greatgrandchildren filling their lives with laughter, stories, and her unmistakable sense of humor and sassiness, traits for which she will always be remembered.

Raffaela was predeceased by her husbands Anthony Ross, Lawrence Holm Sr., Nathan Betesh, and Douglas Hourin; her sisters Antoinette Talin and Gloria Paradisis; her children Mariann Gianfranceschi, Michael Ross, and Lawrence Holm Jr.; her daughter-in-law Laura Holm; and her grandson Michael G. Gianfranceschi.

She is survived by her sisters Lucy Pararvalos and Rose Scalzo; her son Phil Ross of Roxbury and his wife D. J. Miller-Ross; and her daughter Paula Luna. She is also survived by her loving grandchildren Michelle Berg and her husband Carl Berg, Laura Jean Gianfranceschi, Jess Ross and her wife Julianne Nelson-Ross, Matthew Ross, Luke Ross and his wife Senka Ross, Juan Luna, Kayla Ross, and her husband Trevor Holmes, Juanita Luna, Brianna Mack, Dominick Ross, Philip Ross, and John Ross, along with several cherished great-grandchildren.

Raffaela's legacy lives on through the many lives she touched with her kindness, humor, and resilience, and unwavering love for her family. She will be deeply missed and fondly remembered.

Memorial Service will be held on January 31 from 2PM - 4PM at the Brookfield Funeral Home, 786 Federal Rd, Brookfield, CT 06804.

To light a candle or leave a remembrance, please visit www. BrookfieldFuneralHome.com.