Chereel Stafilopatis

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

Chereel was born on November 11, 1944, in La Ceiba, Honduras, the beloved daughter of Ruby I. Baynes. From an early age she possessed a love for learning, language, and culture that would shape her vibrant life. She later 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 even wrote her own psalms as expressions of devotion and reflection.

Chereel lived life with enthusiasm and curiosity. A true world traveler, she embraced different cultures and spoke Greek, Spanish, Italian, and English. She had a deep appreciation for architecture, cherished time spent at the beach, and had a well‑known passion for football — she 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 together, traveling, laughing, and enjoying life’s adventures side by side.

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.

She also leaves behind many beloved grandchildren: Jean‑Paul Irizarry, Troy‑Anthony Irizarry, Kai Baynes, Derrick J. Stone, Divina Stone, Ivanna McBride, Cheryl Baynes, Benjamin Baynes, Julian Baynes, Elijah Baynes, Percias Baynes, Isabella Baynes, Luis Grifits Molina, Vanessa Grifits Molina, Monica Grifits Molina, Melissa Grifits Molina, Andrea Grifits Molina, Kenny Xavier Sentine, Bayron Aldair Banegas Sentine, Kenia Bianjima Sentine, and Jonathan Tomash Sentine.

Chereel will be remembered for her warmth, humor, strong faith, and the joy she brought into the lives of those who knew her. Her legacy continues with the several great‑grandchildren and lives on in the many lives she touched and in the love of her family.

She leaves behind a legacy that cannot be measured in years, but in lives.
Through her children, grandchildren, and great‑grandchildren, her love continues to move, breathe, and grow.
Each generation carries a piece of her strength, her resilience, her laughter, and her quiet wisdom.
Her family is her living testimony — the branches of a tree she rooted with care, sacrifice, and unwavering devotion.

Though she has stepped into eternal rest, her legacy remains alive in every heart she touched.
Her story continues through the ones who call her Mother, Grandmother, and Great‑Grandmother —
a lineage shaped by her hands, guided by her prayers, and held together by her love.

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