Raquel Leigh Forte

Raquel Forte, loving wife of William Hester, died peacefully on the morning of November 9, 2021 after a brief battle with cancer. Raquel was born in Meriden, CT on October 30, 1972, and had just celebrated her 49th birthday surrounded by her family. She was the daughter of Emilio Robert Forte of Sarasota, FL and Sandra Conway of Meriden, CT. Raquel was a 5th grade teacher in the Meriden School system for 27 years, spending most of her career at Casmir Pulaski and Hanover Elementary schools, with her last year spent at Roger Sherman Elementary school. She earned her undergraduate Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Central Connecticut State University and a Masters and Sixth Year Degree in Special Education from Southern State University. Raquel was known by all her colleagues to be hardworking, dedicated, caring, committed to her job, and a true advocate for her students. She carried several positions at school, including Secretary of the Project Excel Committee, Member of the Meriden Federation of Teacher''s Union as her school''s representative, and member of her school''s Social/Cheer Fund Committee. Raquel grew up Roman Catholic and was a very spiritual person. She had a strong faith in God, which she shared with everyone around her. Besides her husband Bill, Raquel is survived by her children and the center of her life, Bryson, 15, Alexis, 14, and Cole, 12. Raquel has excelled at many things in her life, but most of all she was a natural mother. Her relationship with her children was special and unique, and she was a wonder to watch. Raquel is also survived by her sister, Renee Garcia, brother in-law Al Garcia and their daughters, Brooke and Madison of Berlin, CT; her brother, Jack Conway of Nashua, NH; and her sister, Candace Schaff, brother in-law, Michael Schaff and their children Brady and Noah of Wethersfield, CT. She is predeceased by grand-father, Elmer Forte, grandmothers, Clara Forte and Irma Gonzalez, and step-father, Jack Conway. Raquel was the epicenter of her family, always hosting get togethers, holidays, or just a spontaneous dinner at her house; she had a special talent for keeping family and friends close and connected. Aside from being the center of her family, Raquel had countless close friends; she made them wherever she went, and is survived by lifelong childhood friends, school friends, neighborhood friends, and so many more. Raquel was friendly, outgoing, loyal, and warm; she loved having fun and was always up for any adventure. Raquel enjoyed cheering for the Yankees, yelling at her kids sporting events, playing golf, playing in a fantasy league for every sport, hiking, loved music and concerts, especially country music, and loved to travel with family and friends. Raquel lived her life by the philosophies of the more the merrier and her door was always open. Her family will receive relatives and friends on Saturday, November 13th from 9 to 11 a.m. at John J Ferry and Sons Funeral Home, 88 E. Main Street, Meriden followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 12 noon at St Joseph Catholic Church, 22 Goodwill Avenue, Meriden. Masks will be required at church. Burial will be private. For online condolences, please visit jferryfh.com.