Salem……

Anna (Maniates) Raftell age 87, wife of the late William "Bill" Raftell, of Salem formerly of Stoneham, died at home Wednesday evening.

One of seven children, she was born in Boston and raised in Boston's South End the daughter of the late Mersena and Efstratios Maniates. Anna's father died at an early age, when Anne was only a young teenager herself and her mother saw to her upbringing her raising her as an elegant and classy lady who loved art and "the arts".

Mrs. Raftell was graduated from Boston Teacher's College receiving her Bachelor's Degree in Art and her Master's Degree in Languages. She then became a French and Spanish teacher in Boston Public Schools for over 10 years. She liked music and dancing including traditional Greek music, classical music and folk music and had met her late husband at a Greek dance.

They married and settled in Stoneham where they raised a family of four girls. A very strong and independent woman, Mrs. Raftell and her husband endured the loss of two daughters, one at the age of 19 and the other at the age of 20. Only a few years after the loss of her daughter, her husband died. Devoted to her family, she never lost her optimism or ability to move forward with life.

She loved all animals and provided a home to many that her kids brought home over the years. Anne liked to read, especially a good mystery story as well as good conversation with her family and friends. Mrs. Raftell is remembered by her family as a kind, caring person who always thought of everyone before herself.

Eventually she sold the home in Stoneham and moved to Salem Willows, Salem where she has lived for 14 years with one of her daughters Laura Clark and her husband Scott Clark, O.D.

In addition to Laura and Scott she is survived by her daughter Constance and her husband Scott Phillips of Melrose; two sisters Ethel Earle of Wollaston and Mary Lewis of CA and many nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by two daughters, Elaine Raftell and Laura's twin sister Linda Raftell; two brothers Paul and Nick Maniates and two sisters Despina Tasso and, Irene Gewlas .

Private funeral services were held Saturday December 8, in the Murphy Funeral Home, 85 Federal St. Salem. Interment was in Lindenwood Cemetery, Stoneham. Those who wish may make memorial contributions to the Children's Hospital Trust, 1 Autumn St, #731, Boston, MA 02214-5301 or to Friends of Falun Gong USA, 24 West Railroad Avenue, PMB #124 Tenafly, NJ 07670. For online guest book please visit www.MurphyFuneralHome.com or call 978 744 0497.