Rae McCoy
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Obituary of Rae McCoy

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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
Tuesday
4
February

Visitation at Funeral Home

10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Tuesday, February 4, 2025
Blair Mazzarella Funeral Home
723 Coney Island Avenue
Brooklyn, New York, United States
Tuesday
4
February

Final Resting Place

1:00 pm
Tuesday, February 4, 2025
Cypress Hills Cemetery
833 Jamaica Avenue
Brooklyn, New York, United States
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Rae McCoy

In Loving Memory

Rae McCoy

1927 - 2025

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