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Nancy Rafuse Obituary
Boylston - Nancy Elizabeth (Girouard) Rafuse, age 70, of Boylston passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on Sunday, March 4, 2018 after a long battle with pancreatic cancer.
She was the wife of 51 years of David L. Rafuse, Sr., of Boylston.
Born in Worcester, she was the daughter of the late Hector J. and Lillian N. (Lamothe) Girouard.
She is a graduate of Grafton High School class of 1965 and Quinsigamond Community College. She worked at the Grafton State Hospital, Hanover Insurance, Allmerica Financial, and State Mutual for 33 years and the Glavin Regional Center in Shrewsbury. Nancy was a catechist for over 30 years and Special Minister of the Eucharist at St. Mary of the Hills Parish in Boylston.
She developed a Communion Service for the Glavin Center where she brought communion to the people who lived there. Nancy was a hospice volunteer at Notre Dame Long Term Care facility in Worcester and was the President of the Boylston Senior Citizens Society.
Besides her husband David, she is survived by her children, David L. Rafuse, Jr., Joseph P. Rafuse and his wife Renee, Anne M. Weber and her husband Phillip, Patricia M. Brown and Alice E. O'Connor and her husband Stephen; 9 grandchildren, David, III and Danny Rafuse, Trevor and Robert Brown, Abigail and Hunter Rafuse, Lillie and Lauren Weber and Sarah O'Connor. She is also survived by her siblings Peter J. Girouard and his wife Jayne, Jeanne M. Kender and her husband Donald, Judith M. Nelson and her husband Bob; sister-in-law Joyce McCarty; brothers-in-law Richard and Wade Rafuse and many nieces, nephews and friends.
Family and friends are invited to attend a time of visitation on Thursday, March 8, from 10:30 AM – 11:45 AM at St Mary of the Hills Church, 630 Cross St., Boylston followed by her funeral Mass at 12 PM at St Mary of the Hills Church. Burial will follow at Pine Grove Cemetery, Boylson.
Funeral arrangements are under the care of the Chiampa Funeral Home, ~Sumner House~, On the Common, 5 Church Road, Shrewsbury, MA.
In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made to Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston for pancreatic cancer research or to Notre Dame Hospice.
To view Nancy's online tribute, share a memory or offer a condolence please visit www.chiampafuneralhome.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Nancy Rafuse
Sponsored by Chiampa Funeral Home.
Jean Dalbec
March 8, 2018
I was so saddened to hear of Nancy's passing. I knew her from working at The Hanover. Her smile could light up a room and she always stopped to say hi and ask how you were. Her enthusiasm and energy were amazing, as was how her face beamed when she spoke about the Glavin Center and her work there. She was a lovely woman and will be missed. God bless all of you as you miss and mourn her.
Pam & Jake
March 7, 2018
Dearest Alice and Family-
So very sorry to hear of your mom's passing.
Our thoughts are with you and we pray for peace to bring you comfort, courage to face the days ahead and loving memories to forever hold in your heart. Our deepest sympathy to you and yours.
David and Lucy Brodeur
March 6, 2018
My wife and I had the great pleasure to meet David and Nancy last summer at the band concert in West Boylston. We fell in love with Nancy. She was so sweet and brave as she related her medical condition and her deep devotion to her church and Jesus.
She was well aware of the outcome of her sickness and had absolute
faith in Jesus and His promise of everlasting life. She was and is a beautiful soul. God bless her beloved family.
Jane LaBarre
March 6, 2018
Heartfelt condolences are sent to all of our family. Nancy will be missed but is now resting in peace.
Her warm smile will always be remembered. We have another guardian angel watching over us.
Warm thoughts and love are sent your way,
Carol and Larry Lamothe &
Jane and Art LaBarre
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James Farris
March 6, 2018
Nancy was my second cousin and used to babysit me and my brothers back in 1966. And will always have a place in my heart...Sorry for your loss my second cousin David and family. miss all of you.
Margie Hendrickson
March 6, 2018
Nancy was a sweetheart to work with, and always had a kind word. We were friends for many years at work, and she will be greatly missed and fondly thought of.
My prayers to the Rafuse family for such a great loss.
Marybeth Flanagan
March 6, 2018
Sending my heartfelt condolences. Nancy was a co-worker for many years and a sweet, dear friend I feel blessed to have had in my life. She will be deeply missed but her beautiful smile and kind heart will forever be remembered.
March 6, 2018
I am so sorry for your loss. I worked with Nancy for many years and she was such a wonderful lady and a joy to work with and she will be deeply missed.
Ellen Halsdorff
Helen shea
March 6, 2018
Dear David, Patty and family. My deepest sympathy in the passing of Nancy. May she rest in peace. sincerly, Helen Shea
Doris Lindberg
March 5, 2018
Heartfelt prayers and sympathy to all the family. It was good to be a friend of Nancy's for so many years through our connection with State Mutual Company. I'll miss your smile and friendliness.
Rick Allain
March 5, 2018
My heartfelt condolences to everyone! She was such a love and joy to our entire family! Godspeed Nancy, watch over us and help this world you leave behind to see the good in people as you always did!
March 5, 2018
So blessed to have Nancy in our lives for so long. She will be dearly missed. Carol Ann Zysk
Dawn Jinkerson
March 5, 2018
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Stephen OConnor
March 5, 2018
My sincerest condolences to Rafuse Family on the loss of your wife, Mother, and Grandmother, was a truly wonderful, kind lady. May you Rest easy and watch over your Family from above.
David Suydam
March 5, 2018
David and family, My deepest sympathy for your loss.
David Suydam
Priscilla Underwood
March 5, 2018
David and family, my prayers are for you all. You had a great mom. Her love was so obvious for all of you.Her Nativity play brought so much joy to all. So sorry for your loss. God bless.
Priscilla Underwood
Alice Daigle
March 5, 2018
With Heart felt Sympathy, I am Sorry to hear of your passing. God Bless you and Family in this time of sorrow... Love you Nancy.
Christine Toupin
March 5, 2018
Nancy you will always live in our hearts and prayers. May God bless your family in this time of sorrow.
Love, The Toupin Family
Peter Picard
March 5, 2018
Dear Patty and Anne and Joe so sorry to read about the passing of your mother. May God comfort you in this time of sorrow. Losing a loved one is never easy but take comfort in cherishing all the good times.
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