Raffaela A. Sabato

Raffaela Sabato Williamson
Raffaela Andrea Sabato Williamson, age 40, of Burbank, California, passed away peacefully surrounded by family and friends on Saturday July 30, 2016 at Providence St. Joseph's Medical Center after a long, courageous battle with colon cancer. She was the beloved wife of Tom Williamson, formally of Oakville, Ontario, Canada.
Raffaela was born in Mission Viejo, California on June 18, 1976 and raised in Fairfax, Virginia where she attended Paul VI High School. Raffaela graduated with a BS Degree in Fashion Merchandising from Marymount College in Tarrytown, New York.
Raffaela had a distinguished ten year career as the Senior Retail Operations Manager for BCBG Max Azria in Vernon, California where she made countless friends before she retired in 2014 due to her illness. In her final years Raffaela spent much of her time and energy traveling to her favorite places on Earth – Maui, Italy and England – as well as being a devoted mother and wife at home. Besides her husband, Tom, Raffaela leaves behind her young son, Alexander Williamson, her parents, Melissa (Feher) and Robert Merkle as well as numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, in-laws and close friends.
Raffaela was preceded in death by her beloved biological father Louis (Gino) Sabato.
Raffaela's "Celebration of Life" will take place
Saturday August 20th at 3pm at Forest Lawn, Hollywood Hills, Church of the Hills. In Raffaela's fashionista manner she has requested that attendees wear something colorful and stylish to celebrate.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Alex's preschool, A Rainbow School, 1817 W. Burbank Blvd., Burbank, CA 91506.