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Maria Angela Raaf

September 12, 1916 – July 10, 2013

Maria Angela Raaf, a longtime resident of Snowmass Village, CO peacefully passed away on Wednesday, July 10, 2013 in her home, surrounded by her husband and daughters.

Angela was born September 12, 1916 in New Orleans, LA, where she lived together with her parents and two brothers until they moved to Atlanta, GA, where she graduated from High School. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Business in 1939 from St. Mary’s College, Notre Dame, IN.

On October 20, 1945 Angela married James J. Raaf, at their alma mater, the University of Notre Dame. The newlyweds moved to South America where Jim had been working before the war. The next 30 years they lived in Peru, Bolivia, Chile and Ecuador, where their six daughters were born and raised. Even though they lived miles away from their homeland, they were able to stay connected with the United States by listening to the Voice of America broadcast on short wave radio and taking wonderful motorhome trips in the 50 states. Jim always mentioned how courageous and loyal a wife Angela was to follow him so faithfully through all his transfers. She was a very dedicated wife and mother. Angela was also involved in several organizations of charity. She opened her home to the first Peace Corps groups that came down to South America and worked closely with the Maryknoll Sisters. She was a member in the American Women’s Association in the diverse countries. The Girl Scout troops of Bolivia will remember her dedicated leadership in their activities. An enthusiastic Notre Dame football fan, sport seasons were always spent listening, watching or attending games. Other passions included golf, bridge, hiking, bowling and traveling.


After having lived so many years in the Andes Mountains, Jim fulfilled his promise to Angela to return back to the United States. They settled in the beautiful rocky mountains of Colorado for 34 years. Angela was known for her lasting friendships, remembering birthdays and keeping in touch with family and friends throughout the years.

Angela is survived by her husband Jim; her daughters and sons-in-law, Angie and Jochen Widdel of Santiago, Chile, Barbara and Rainer Wolff of La Paz, Bolivia, Maria Elena and Scott Medlock of Anchorage, Alaska, Pam and Ivan Prince of Orlando, Florida, Susie Raaf of San Francisco, California; twelve grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her daughter Patty.

A Mass of Christian Burial celebrated by son-in-law, Father Scott Medlock, was held on Saturday, July 13, 2013 at 2 PM at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Aspen followed by her burial at Hidden Valley Cemetery in Snowmass Village, CO. A light dinner followed at 4:30 PM at the Snowmass Chapel. In lieu of flowers, gifts may be given to St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Aspen, the Maryknoll Fathers & Brothers or The Cloister at St. Patrick’s Church in Anchorage, AK.