Pamela Rapacz

Pamela Mary (Franklin) Rapacz, 81, of Wethersfield, CT, passed away unexpectedly on March 8, 2024. Pam was born on November 20, 1942 in Plainville, MA and was the beloved wife of Richard Rapacz for 54 years.
Pam was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, and a cherished friend, volunteer, and professional. She leaves behind a lasting legacy of love, kindness, and civic service. Pam is survived by her husband Richard and daughters Tanya Rapacz and her husband Peter Rauch of Ellicott City, MD and Andrea Rapacz and her husband Dylan Peltier of Wethersfield, and adored grandchildren Alexander, Annelise, Molly, and Nora. She is also survived by her siblings Cheryl Cornell, Kevin Franklin, sisters in law Carolyn Franklin, Diane Franklin, and Deena Franklin, and many cherished nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her parents Raymond and Eileen (Monaghan) Franklin, brothers Jeffrey Franklin and Gregory Franklin, and brother in law Alan Cornell.
Professionally, Pam had a successful career as a researcher at the University of Connecticut Health Center, and was the co-author of many published papers. She was a fierce defender of workers' rights and organized her first labor strike when she was in college. Pam later went on to help organize University Health Professionals #3837 and at the time of her retirement was serving as its President. She was actively involved in local politics serving on Wethersfield's Democratic Town Committee and working on political campaigns for Democratic candidates. She was elected Registrar of Voters for multiple terms and served as the Chair of ROVAC's Legislative Committee (Registrars of Voters Association of Connecticut). She was tirelessly dedicated to her paid and unpaid work.
Pam graduated from King Philip High School in Wrentham, MA in 1960 and the University of Massachusetts, Amherst in 1964. In her free time she enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren, traveling, gardening, jewelry making, painting, politics, reading, attending performances at The Bushnell, and playing bridge. Before the pandemic, she looked forward to her winters in Fort Pierce, FL with her husband and longtime family friend Gail Donahue. She was an active participant in the Wethersfield Newcomers Club and the YWCA.
Friends and family may gather on Wednesday, March 13 from 5-8pm at the Farley-Sullivan Funeral Home, 34 Beaver Road, Wethersfield. A Mass of Christian Burial celebrating Pam's life will be held on Thursday, March 14, 2024 in Corpus Christi Church of Christ the King Parish, 601 Silas Deane Highway, Wethersfield. Burial to follow in Village Cemetery, 1 Marsh Street, Wethersfield. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to Connecticut Foodshare, connecticutfoodshare.com.