Mariana Rosa Rafael, age 82, of Chicopee, MA, passed away peacefully on Saturday, December 30, 2023, after a short 5-month courageous battle with Pancreatic Cancer. Mariana was surrounded by her loving family who have been left heartbroken.

Mariana was born on August 13, 1941, in Benedita (Alcobaça), Portugal to the late Joaquim Marques and Maria Rosa. In 1969, at the young age of 28, she immigrated alone to the United States to start a better life for herself and her future family. Mariana loved the life she created in America. She was extremely proud to become a US citizen on November 15, 1974.

In 1970, Mariana met and fell in love with her husband and favorite dance partner, Valdemar Rafael. They were married after two short months of courtship and celebrated 54 years of marriage on September 20, 2023. Their marriage was a testament to unwavering commitment and enduring love. Together, they enjoyed traveling and dancing the night away until all hours of the night. They defined true love and he lovingly cared for her each and every day until her last breath on December 30th.

Her greatest source of happiness was to be surrounded by her family. Besides her devoted husband, she also leaves behind her loving daughter Guida Rafael Sajdak of Belchertown and her husband Jeffrey, who she adored like a son. Mariana was the proud Vovó to Emily Rose Rafael Sajdak and Nathan Jeffrey Sajdak. They became her purpose in life and her whole world and her eyes would light up each time she saw them. Anyone who knew Mariana, knew the depth of her love for her family was immeasurable.

She was a proud machine operator at Spaulding’s in Chicopee and worked hard to establish a life for her family. After 35 years at Spaulding’s, Mariana retired in 2004 and started her second and favorite job which was to help raise her cherished grandchildren, Emily and Nathan.

She was extremely proud to have sponsored each of her three siblings and their families to the United States. She will be sadly missed by her sister Ema Inacio (Joaquim), her two brothers António Marques (Aida) and Arlindo (Lena) all of Chicopee. She will also be missed by her sister-in-law, Natalia Leote in Portugal. Her brother-in-law, Gaspar Rafael, passed away on December 28, 2023.

She shared a special bond with each of her nieces and nephews. Mariana leaves behind her godchildren Paul Marques (Christina) of East Longmeadow, Diana Toler (Jeff) of West Springfield and her nephews: Pedro Inacio (Theresa) of West Springfield, Rui Marques (Anna) of Belchertown, Luis Marques (Kathy) of Chicopee and Nelson Rafael (Dalila), Rui Pedro Rafael (Joana), Filipe Leote and Rodrigo Leote (Luisa) all of Portugal; and her loving nieces, Cristina Parent (Michael) of Agawam and Celia Marques of Chicopee. She also leaves behind her cherished great-nephew and great-nieces that she adored. Grayson and Claudia Marques of Belchertown, Gabriele Inacio and Elinore Inacio of Westfield Springfield, Emma and Isabela Marques of Chicopee and Elizabeth and Anna Parent of Agawam, Afonso and Leonore Leote, Maria Leote, Gonçalo Rafael, Afonso e Duarte Rafael all of Portugal.

Mariana was strong, resilient and hardworking with a warm spirit and a supportive smile that beamed with love and kindness. She was as beautiful on the inside, as she was on the outside. She will be fondly remembered by everyone who met her.

Calling hours will be held on Monday, January 8, 2024 from 4:00 - 7:00 PM at the Grise Funeral Home in Chicopee. A Funeral Service will be held on Tuesday, January 9, 2024 from 8:30 – 9:30 AM at the Grise Funeral Home followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at the Basilica of St. Stanislaus at 10:00 AM.

Mariana will then be brought to her final resting place in Reservoir Cemetery in Ludlow.