Obituary for Gretchen Craffey
Gretchen (Russell) Craffey, 86, died peacefully in her sleep Friday, February 18, 2022. Fiercely independent and sharp of mind to the end, her life was both full and fulfilling. Gretchen was profoundly thankful. Although slowed down by injury during her last two weeks with us, she was especially grateful for the opportunity to visit with family before passing. She died surrounded by the love of her children, grandchildren and a great-grandson. Born in Cambridge, MA, Gretchen was the daughter of William and Mary (White) Russell. Gretchen lived more than 60 years in Simsbury, CT, a town she loved dearly.
Gretchen graduated from the College of New Rochelle and the University of Saint Joseph, completing her masters while raising a family. She loved her work as a counselor for the Bachelor of General Studies program at UCONN. She was an active volunteer at St. Patrick-St. Anthony Church in Hartford and supported The House of Bread and Habitat for Humanity. She enjoyed her family, thinking, speaking, listening, walking, writing poetry, Tai Chi and reading. She loved the trees, the birds, the wind drying her sheets, riding her bicycle, and all things small. She cherished her close friends, who cherished her back.
Gretchen is predeceased by her beloved former husband, Jack Craffey, her sister, Mary Ann Venti, and her son, John Craffey. She is survived by her children, Alicia Craffey of Simsbury, Alanna Craffey and husband Dave Lurvey of South Berwick, ME, William Craffey of Martha’s Vineyard, Mary Sciano and husband Paul Sciano of Marlborough, and Patrick Craffey and partner Kelly Su Lim of West Hartford. She is survived by her brother Fr. William Russell, SJ of Weston, MA, her sister Margery Lok, of South Dartmouth, MA, and her brothers Jude Russell of Kingston, MA, and Gregory Russell of Westford, MA. She will be dearly missed by her seven grandchildren, Hannah Schriefer, Abby Schriefer, Ben Schriefer, Liam Craffey, Maya Craffey, May Sciano and Joe Sciano. Her spirit lives on in all of us, including her great-grandchild, Sage.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 am on Saturday, February 26 at St. Patrick-St. Anthony Church, 285 Church Street in Hartford. Please note mask guidelines on the Church website, spsact.org, where a live-stream link to the service will be available via Streamspot. We request the unvaccinated make use of the live-stream option. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to The House of Bread, 27 Chestnut St., Hartford, 06120 or Hartford Catholic Worker, 18 Clark St, Harford, CT 06120. Visit Gretchen’s “Book of Memories” at www.vincentfuneralhome.com for online tributes.
Gretchen graduated from the College of New Rochelle and the University of Saint Joseph, completing her masters while raising a family. She loved her work as a counselor for the Bachelor of General Studies program at UCONN. She was an active volunteer at St. Patrick-St. Anthony Church in Hartford and supported The House of Bread and Habitat for Humanity. She enjoyed her family, thinking, speaking, listening, walking, writing poetry, Tai Chi and reading. She loved the trees, the birds, the wind drying her sheets, riding her bicycle, and all things small. She cherished her close friends, who cherished her back.
Gretchen is predeceased by her beloved former husband, Jack Craffey, her sister, Mary Ann Venti, and her son, John Craffey. She is survived by her children, Alicia Craffey of Simsbury, Alanna Craffey and husband Dave Lurvey of South Berwick, ME, William Craffey of Martha’s Vineyard, Mary Sciano and husband Paul Sciano of Marlborough, and Patrick Craffey and partner Kelly Su Lim of West Hartford. She is survived by her brother Fr. William Russell, SJ of Weston, MA, her sister Margery Lok, of South Dartmouth, MA, and her brothers Jude Russell of Kingston, MA, and Gregory Russell of Westford, MA. She will be dearly missed by her seven grandchildren, Hannah Schriefer, Abby Schriefer, Ben Schriefer, Liam Craffey, Maya Craffey, May Sciano and Joe Sciano. Her spirit lives on in all of us, including her great-grandchild, Sage.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 am on Saturday, February 26 at St. Patrick-St. Anthony Church, 285 Church Street in Hartford. Please note mask guidelines on the Church website, spsact.org, where a live-stream link to the service will be available via Streamspot. We request the unvaccinated make use of the live-stream option. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to The House of Bread, 27 Chestnut St., Hartford, 06120 or Hartford Catholic Worker, 18 Clark St, Harford, CT 06120. Visit Gretchen’s “Book of Memories” at www.vincentfuneralhome.com