Manuela Román Paoli

Manuela Román Vélez Paoli, 87, of New Haven, Connecticut, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, September 24, 2025 at Yale-New Haven Hospital, York St. Campus, with her loving family by her side.

Born in Hatillo, Puerto Rico to the late Ignacio Vélez and the late Maria Vélez Paoli, Manuela lived in Puerto Rico for twenty six years before moving to New Haven in 1964. Here she built a life with her beloved husband, the late Rafael Román. They were married for sixty seven years, and lived in New Haven for sixty one of them, where they raised their family.

Manuela was a lifelong worker and skilled seamstress, specializing in embroidery. She worked for various New Haven area companies including The Straus-Adler Co., and Gant Shirtmakers. Later in life, she found joy working part-time at Lulac, where she loved caring for children at the daycare center before retiring.

Her faith was the cornerstone of her life. An active member of Door of Salvation Christian Church (Iglesia Cristiana Puerta de Salvación) of New Haven for more than sixty years. She graduated from the Bible Institute in 1994. She was a dedicated Sunday School teacher for decades, making God's word fun and engaging for children with her hand-drawn characters and creative lessons. As a Church Elder, she had a warm and gentle way of speaking to people, and was a devoted member of the visiting group, bringing many lives to the church alongside her dear friend, Hna. Virginia Silva Silva. They shared many stories of their walks and ministries. Manuela was a true servant of God, visiting hospitals and prisons, feeding the homeless, and praying for everyone. She never complained, and always faced her problems with prayer. When offering advice, she spoke with the unwavering firmness of God's word. She lived the motto, "To live in Christ and to die in Christ is gain." Her crown has been gained.

In her personal life, Manuela enjoyed company, and her door was always open. She loved her coffee, watching "Caso Cerrado", playing dominoes, crocheting, sewing, and painting. Those who met her were drawn to her kind spirit and gentle nature. She will be deeply missed.

Manuela is survived by her children, Sonia Román, Damaris Martínez and Alberto Román of New Haven, and Rafael Angel Román and Samuel (Sharon) Román of Hamden, fifteen grandchildren, including Felicia Román, whom she raised as her own, nineteen great-grandchildren, two great-great grandchildren, and many loving nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. She was predeceased by her beloved husband Rafael Román, grandson Donald Manuel Morriar, III, three sisters, Carmela "Mela" Quiñones Vélez, Margarita "Margo" Garcia Vélez and Inez Vélez, two brothers, Andrés Vélez and Benito Vélez, and her daughter-in-law, Ivette Román.

Manuela's family will receive relatives and friends on Friday, October 3rd at Door of Salvation Christian Church (Iglesia Cristiana Puerta de Salvación), 3 Arch St., New Haven from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. A funeral service will take place during visitation time. A prayer service will take place at the church on Saturday, October 4th at 9:30 a.m. Burial will follow in Evergreen Cemetery, 769 Ella T. Grasso Blvd. The Washington Memorial Funeral Home, 4 Washington Ave., North Haven has been entrusted with arrangements. washingtonmemorialfh.com