Rafaella Simonetti McCoy: 4/18/27-2/29/25

97 years young!

Rafaella grew up in Queens NY where she was born. She grew up in a large family

being one of 8 children (5 sisters and 2 brothers). Her parents immigrated from Naples,

Italy- through Ellis Island. As they were poor, she, being gifted with a beautiful voice,

would sing for money in the Italian feasts. The patrons would throw coins onto the

stage. The coins helped to support her family. Her stage name was “Stellina”, meaning

“Little Star” in Italian. She grew up, fell in love, & married at a young age. After having 5

children with her husband who turned out to be an alcoholic abusive husband- she left-

returning home with her children in tow.

She brought into this world: 4 sons: Stephen, Lonnie, Timothy, Michael- and 1 daughter

Suzanne. She raised five amazing children… all on her own. Rafaella was a strong

woman who overcame many obstacles. She was strong enough to leave her abusive

marriage. She overcame poverty-initially being on welfare- but then got her GED

diploma and worked to support us. She overcame perhaps the most unimaginable grief:

surviving the passing of her two sons: Stephen (her oldest) and Michael (her youngest).

As she never found a love companion again -she survived perhaps also the loneliness

that becomes, over time- too much a part of you- too familiar, - - Truth be told- she

never looked for that love companion. Her children were her life.

Although singing was always her passion, in her later years, in her seventies- she

began to write poetry. She was known to us as “Rafaella -the Great Storyteller”- a.k.a.

Mama. Below is just one of her poems, from her self-published book: “Rafella- Follow

her Trails through the Years”.

We celebrate her. We rejoice in her reunion with our brothers, and with Jesus,

her God- who she had unwavering faith in.

THE DAWNING OF EACH DAY

I cherish your first heartbeat on awakening

Not hearing, but knowing of more to follow

How astonishingly you are

Embedded in me so deep

And amazingly I start to weep

My life you did begin

Beating day and night

To make sure I’m alright

In my mother’s womb you found me

Started one little beat for me to be

Little heart,

Will you keep beating while I sleep?

I ought shame myself And again

I start to weep

If you should die- So, must I

Heart of mine, You must live

For you and me

Without you

I cannot be

-Rafaella Simonetti McCoy