Christina Dennen Rafter

Christina Dennen Rafter, 80, died peacefully at home on September 29th. Born in Gloucester, she was the daughter of the late Chester H. and Julia (Swanson) Dennen and the beloved wife of the late William S. Rafter, Jr.
Chris was a proud "West Gloucester girl" and loved to share stories of adventures with her three sisters and baby brother-clambakes on Coffin's Beach, delivering newspapers at the age of 6, life guarding at Half Moon Beach, Friday nights at the Y's Alpha Omega girls club, and working at the Village Restaurant. It was always fun to gather around the table, play games, and hear about "Chrissy's" headstrong ways. Chris began collecting local art at an early age and continued her passion for collecting artwork, jewelry, and interesting things throughout her life.
A graduate of Gloucester High School, class of 1963, Chris was elected vice president and voted "Most School Spirited." She cherished the lifelong friendships she formed during those formative years. After high school, she attended Syracuse University before marrying her first husband and beginning her family.
Chris's greatest joy was being surrounded by family. She was a loving, devoted, and supportive champion for her children and grandchildren. Domestic chores never held her interest; instead, she poured her energy into creating fun games and costumes, cheering loudly at sporting events, school plays, and educational milestones for each of her "chickens". She encouraged her children to be observant, independent thinkers and to follow their own passions. Her love extended beyond her immediate family, embracing the many friends of her children and grandchildren-most of whom knew her simply as MorMor.
Chris was deeply involved in her community throughout her life. She volunteered in the schools, taught Sunday School, and served on the boards of several local organizations. For many years, she successfully organized the American Cancer Society's Daffodil Days fundraiser. From 1991 to 1993, she proudly served as Gloucester's "First Lady" while her husband, William S. Rafter, Jr., was Mayor.
Chris built a decades-long career as a successful realtor in Gloucester, proudly guiding many young families to their first homes. In addition, she and her family ran the Willow Rest for a number of years, enjoying the friendships and community they built while there. In retirement, she found great joy in traveling-spending time with friends and family across the United States and escaping many winters in Costa Rica and Baja, Mexico. Chris loved Gloucester and instilled that same love in her children and grandchildren. She encouraged them to explore the wider world, reminding them that "Gloucester is a great place to come back to."
She is survived by four children; all of Gloucester, Robbie Foley and his wife, Christina McMahon Foley, Caitlin Foley Sumner and her husband, Brook, Sanford Rafter and his wife Cassandra Kreitzberg; and Keeley Dennen Rafter; brother, Peter H. Dennen and his wife, Linda; sister, Marjorie D. Akerley; sister-in-law, Cathy Corbett and her husband, Frank of Kittery, ME; her grandchildren, Keenan Foley and his wife, Emily, Hayden Foley, and his wife, Natalie, Griffith Foley, Hannah Maki and her husband, Dylan, Charles and Beatrice Sumner, Billy and Jack Rafter; her great-grandchildren, Jillian, Malcolm, and Arlen Foley, and Rhys Maki; and beloved nieces, nephews and cousins. In addition to her parents and husband, she is predeceased by two sisters, Janice D. Schrafft and Patricia D. Martin; former husband Robert E. Foley Sr., two brothers-in-law, Philip O. Akerley and Thomas J. Martin and sister-in-law Jane Bradley.
Her Funeral Service will be held at Trinity Congregational Church, 70 Middle Street, Gloucester on Friday October 10th at 11:00 am with a gathering at the Castle Manor Inn to follow. Donations in Chris' memory can be made to the Sargent Murray House Museum https://share.google/dnf4DszHqbbFYB9Db. Arrangements by the Campbell Funeral Home, 61 Middle Street, Gloucester.