Chereel Stafilopatis

Chereel Stafilopatis, of Waterbury, passed away peacefully on March 3, 2026, at St. Mary's Hospital. She was 81 years old.

Born on November 11, 1944, in La Ceiba, Honduras, Chereel was the beloved daughter of Ruby I. Baynes. From an early age she possessed a love for learning, language, and culture that shaped her vibrant life. She earned an associate degree from Northeastern University and devoted many years of service as a social worker for the State of Massachusetts, where she compassionately helped countless individuals and families.

A woman of deep faith, Chereel loved the Bible and her church community. Her spirituality was deeply personal and creative; she wrote her own psalms as expressions of devotion and reflection. She lived with enthusiasm and curiosity, embracing the world as a passionate traveler who spoke Greek, Spanish, Italian, and English. She held a deep appreciation for architecture, cherished days at the beach, and was a devoted fan of the New England Patriots. Those who knew her remember her as endearing, hilarious, outgoing, and full of life.

Later in life she met the love of her life, Paul Brennan, and the two shared many joyful years traveling, laughing, and enjoying life's adventures together. Above all, Chereel loved her family deeply. She is survived by her children, Diana Irizarry, Luis Baynes, Maria Violletta Henson, Karen Ivette Sentine Baynes, Karla Sentine, Esteban Sentine, and Marcos Anthony Grifits Sentine, as well as many beloved grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She will be remembered for her warmth, humor, strong faith, and the joy she brought into the lives of all who knew her. Her legacy lives on through the generations she nurtured with strength, resilience, and unwavering love.