Nena Danna Chirafis, lovingly referred to as “Meme” by her grandchildren, a lifelong resident of Beaumont, died Friday, April 10, 2015, at the age of 99 years. She was born October 22, 1915, and was one of fourteen children born to Lily and Frank Danna.
Nena graduated from St. Anthony High School in 1934, and spent her career, as “The Shoe Lady,” managing the shoe department for the Fair Store in Beaumont, and then later worked at the Boston Shoe Store, in Nederland. After she retired, she volunteered for “Some Other Place” for several years.
She was an active member of St. Anne Catholic Church, attending Mass most days, and spent time in adoration of the Eucharist each week. She loved gardening, cooking, playing dominos, and bingo, and especially loved winning!
Nena was devoted to the Catholic Church, and prayed the Rosary twice a day. Nena’s greatest gift was her constant prayers for her family. She bestowed upon her children and grandchildren her love of the Church and the power of prayer. She relied on Christ for everything, and called on Him at the end of her life to take her to heaven. Her “Jesus Lost and Found” prayer was her legacy, and this prayer has helped recover items that were thought to be lost for good.
Nena is survived by her children, Barbara Cowart and her husband, Noel; Mary Elizabeth Kirkwood; John Chirafis and his wife, Susie; Denise Nobles and her husband, Kim; and Nena Diener and her husband, Al; grandchildren, Barbie Cowart Knight and her husband, Bobby; Lesa Cowart McLeod and her husband, Bryan; Christopher Cowart and his wife, Julie; Michele Kirkwood Grubbs and her husband, Rick; Kimberly Kirkwood Nelson and her husband, Mike; Elizabeth Kirkwood; Janet Chirafis; Pamela Chirafis Wood; Kristina Chirafis Vallee and her husband, Jimmie; John Chirafis; Jennifer Nobles; Kellie Nobles; Billy McClelland; Whitney Diener Santacruz and her husband, Julio; and Aaron Diener; step-grandchildren, Chrissy Slaughter and Traci Mitchell; great-grandchildren, Connor, Danna, Caleb, Drew, and Ivy Knight, Holly McLeod, Mitchell and Bailee Cowart, Austin and Zachary Nelson, Amanda Chirafis, Rebekah Parker, Reagan Vallee, Lindsay, Abby and Ryan Chirafis, Andrew Weiland, Lauren Terrell, Olivia, and Christian Sandoval, Isabella Nobles, Dani and Sonny Santacruz and Mason Andrade; and sisters-in-law, Mary Jo Canizaro, Rose Nell Seymour and Helen Danna.
Nena was preceded in death by her husband of sixty years, John Paul Chirafis; parents; and her thirteen beloved brothers and sisters; Carmelo, Frank, John, Joe, Sam, Charlie, Anthony, Carlo, Katy, Josie, Lily, Mildred and Mary.
The loss of Nena marks the end of a family that left an indelible legacy. The Danna family was rich with love, and their descendants are blessed to have been part of their lives.
A gathering of Mrs. Chirafis’ family and friends will be from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., with a Christian Vigil at 6:30 p.m., and a Rosary recited at 7:00 p.m., Friday, April 17, 2015, at Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin Avenue, Beaumont, A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, April 18, 2015, at St. Anne Catholic Church, 2715 Calder Avenue, Beaumont, with interment to follow at Magnolia Cemetery, Beaumont.
The family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to Heart to Heart Hospice and Brookdale Assisted Living, Cy-Fair caregivers, especially Ti and the two Janice’s.
Memorial contributions may be made to Some Other Place. P.O. Box 843, Beaumont, Texas 77704 or to St. Anne Catholic Church, P.O. Box 3429, Beaumont, Texas 77704.
