Phyllis Sylvia Rafey's Obituary
Phyllis Rafey has passed at 94 years old. She was born on March 20, 1932 and passed peacefully on July 24th 2026 surrounded by loving family members. Phyllis was born in Chelsea, Ma and raised in Everett, Ma and was educated at Chandler School for women. Later she met and fell in love with Ernie Rafey and they married in 1953 where they remained married for 36.5 years until Ernie passed after many years of illness. She watched over and cared for her husband in sickness and health and they loved each other very much. Phyllis was fortunate after Ernie’s passing to have met Allan Sikowitz with whom she married in 1992 and they celebrated almost 33 years before she passed.
She was vivacious and the life of the party to anyone who knew her. She had personality personified and loved cooking and entertaining and was loving and caring to Ernie and Allan and enjoyed many years of volunteering and raising her children while participating in school activities while enjoying bowling, Hadassah and playing mahjong and canasta. Her life was her children and grandchildren and later in life she was blessed to be the best Nana to her great grandchildren. She also enjoyed a special relationship with her daughter in law and also her sons in law. Anyone who came in contact with Phyllis always remembered her for casting her opinion because she had a voice and wanted to be heard and she was.
Phyllis was predeceased by Ernest and is survived by Allan, along with her devoted son and caregiver Andrew (Wendy), daughter Donna (Bruce-Dec), daughter Ruth (Dave) as well as Susan. Her loving grandchildren Brian (Ronna), Michelle (Matt) and ERIC, Adam, Matthew (Gina), Justin and Zachary (Elliott); great grandchildren-Bonnie, Eden, Benji, Ziggie and Ernie as well as Jaxon and Blake.
Interment will be at Shirat Hayam - Temple Israel in Peabody, MA; donations in the name of Phyllis Rafey should be made to the American Heart Association.
What’s your fondest memory of Phyllis?
What’s a lesson you learned from Phyllis?
Share a story where Phyllis' kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Phyllis you’ll never forget.
How did Phyllis make you smile?