Sylvia Marie Raffetto

1940 - 2014

Sylvia Marie Raffetto
Jan. 19, 1940 - Aug. 19, 2014
Resident of Santa Cruz

Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated in Capitola for Sylvia Raffetto who passed away peacefully at the age of 74, with her loving family at her bedside, following a lengthy illness. Born in San Mateo, California, as a youngster, she moved to Sunnyvale, and graduated from Fremont High School. Sylvia worked for more than 25 years in the computer industry as a programmer, with most of those years employed with Memorex and with Teledyne Industries.
Sylvia moved to Santa Cruz 16 years ago with her husband John. They were both active parishioners of St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Capitola, where Sylvia worked for many years as the bookkeeper for the church, and was a member of Hearts and Hands and the Italian Catholic Federation (ICF). Her husband, John Raffetto preceded her in death this past May of 2014. Sylvia also volunteered her time with Ministries with People with Disabilities, and attended functions and events at the Senior's Center in Capitola, where her husband could usually be persuaded to sing a song or two. Many fond memories will be cherished by her family for her love of camping and RV trips with her family and friends, Disneyland trips, packed up dinners for Vansona Lake and the many drive in movies at Winchester drive-ins theaters.
Sylvia was very talented in both needlepoint and knitting. She will be deeply missed by her friends and members of The Praying Knitting Group, where up until her final days, knitted baby clothes, hats, prayer shawls and blankets her organization to be donated. Regardless of work or volunteer service, she often commented her dream was wanting to be a mom most of all, and she accomplished her dream as our mom, "Granny" and "G.G".
She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Lauren Wilson and George Fangonilo of Gilroy; her daughter, Robin Lerma of Hollister; her sister and brother-in-law, Helen and Jim Finn of North Carolina and her brother and sister-in-law, Ralph and Mary Laurie of Arizona. She also leaves her beloved granddaughters: Rachel, Megan, Kelli, Carly, and Jacqueline, and her two great grandsons Dean and Jake.
The mass will be celebrated on Monday, September 8, 2014 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church (435 Monterey Ave.) in Capitola beginning at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to pbcers.org. Unite people with Primary Biliary Cirrhosis, help them cope with their disease and improve the quality of their lives through support and education.
You may also share your condolences and prayers with her family by visiting www.pacificgardenschapel.com