CHARLOTTE CARRAFA
04/17/1934 - 10/02/2022
Charlotte (Mimi) Carrafa passed away peacefully on October 2, 2022, at Baylor
St. Luke’s Medical Center in Houston, Texas, surrounded by the love of her family. She was born in Waterbury, Connecticut, on April 17, 1934, to Margaret (Magee) Tuttle and Carlton Tuttle, and made her home in recent years with her son in Watertown, CT, and daughter in Houston, TX. She will be deeply missed by her three beloved children and their spouses, Cynthia and Anthony Petrello of Houston, TX; Dante Jr. and Ann Marie Carrafa of New Hartford, CT; Valerie and Ben Barker of West Simsbury, CT; as well as her seven grandchildren, Leah (fiancé Rory), Dante III (wife Lisa), Derrick (fiancée Kathryn), Devin, Carena, Alana, and Evan.
Charlotte was raised in Waterbury and attended local schools. She sang in the choir at the Methodist church where her grandmother, Charlotte Magee, for whom she was named, was choir director. She grew up in a large family of eight brothers and sisters and learned the importance of a strong work ethic. Starting in high school, she worked at the rubber shop, lace factory, and other Waterbury-area manufacturers, and went on to work at and support the establishment of LCM Tool Company, a family business. Her dedication to her family and community was the inspiration for the Carrafa- Tuttle Scholarship at Sacred Heart High School.
Charlotte was known for her incredible sense of humor and fabulous sense of style. She was a gifted storyteller and lover of music, especially Johnny Mathis.
Her humor was infectious. She was guaranteed to make you laugh, whether recounting childhood antics or more recent adventures traveling with her family or to the casino, one of her favorite places. She was particularly proud of her grandchildren, whom she adored. They all have wonderful memories of fun days with Grandma Mimi at home and out and about — at the movies, park, restaurant, latest attraction, or store, from which they were sure to return with the biggest, brightest, trendiest (sometimes impractical) toy, craft, book, clothes, or room decoration.
Charlotte also was a beloved sister, aunt, and friend. Besides her children and grandchildren, she leaves behind a large, loving extended family, including her former brother- and sister-in-law Joseph and Wendy Carrafa; former sisters-in-law Anita Desisto and Rosemarie Carrafa; two great- grandchildren, Dante IV and Santino, and their grandmother Nadine; over 60 adored nieces and nephews, including Darlene, Michael, David, Rocky, Dee, Tina, Nicole, Theresa, Mary Regina, Johnny, Bonnie, Mary Ann, and Laurie; her honorary daughter, Cheryl, and honorary niece, Kim; and many Houston friends, including Nicole, Gloria, Sophie, Marisol, Dinora, Lisseth, Andrea, Smokey, Jane, Carlos, Besma, Brenda, Danielle, and Erica; and others near and dear to her heart.
Charlotte was predeceased by her parents; sisters, Harriet Quick,
Patricia Fusco, Penny Doty, and Myrtle Rinaldi; brothers, John, Harold, and Carlton Tuttle; her former husband, Dante Carrafa, Sr.; and her great-nephew Jason Finley, Jr., who was special to her.
Calling hours are Tuesday, October 11, 2022, from 9:30 to 11 a.m. at Hickcox Funeral Home, 195 Main St., Watertown, CT. The funeral procession will depart the funeral home after calling hours for a service at 11:30 a.m. at the chapel in Evergreen Cemetery, 183 North St., Watertown, CT. Burial will follow in Evergreen Cemetery. Charlotte’s family invites you to join them for a repast luncheon immediately afterwards at The Painted Pony, 74 Main St. S., Bethlehem, CT.
Memorial donations can be made to the Salvation Army or the Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children’s Hospital. For additional information or to leave an online message of condolence, please visit www.hickcoxfuneralhome.com.