Olga Rafferty

February 18, 1928 – April 13, 2025

Olga K. Rafferty, 97, of Medford, OR, passed away on April 13, 2025, at Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center from heart failure.

She was born on February 18, 1928, in Forestville, CT, daughter of Mitro and Eva Komanetsky. Olga graduated from Bristol High School, CT. She started working at Humason Manufacturing in Forestville and Pratt & Whitney in East Hartford, CT. Shortly after graduation, she met the love of her life, her future husband at Lake Compounce in Bristol, CT. She was married to John Wilson Rafferty, of Hartford CT, for 68 years. She and family moved several times from coast to coast during her husband John’s career, ending with the last 25 years in OR.

Olga was dedicated to raising her family who were always her first priority. As her children grew up, she leveraged her talents in various positions, including some modeling. She had executive secretarial positions and major firm receptionist positions in companies in NYC, Van Nuys and Palo Alto, CA. This included legal, pharmaceutical and medical systems firms. She retired from the Alza Corporation in Palo Alto. She loved her jobs and enjoyed being the initial contact for clients. She was always smartly dressed, charming and helpful to all. 

Olga is survived by her children, daughters Colleen Rafferty and husband Norman Beres, Cheryl Rafferty, and son Gary Rafferty and wife Barbara Rafferty, three step-grandchildren, John Haines, Kristin Beres and Lisa Tholen. She is also survived by three step-great grandchildren, Lily Haines, Leo Tholen and Sophie Tholen.

She was preceded in death by her husband, John Rafferty, her son John Rafferty Jr., sister Victoria Mafale, and brothers Paul, Dimitry, Antone and Harry Komanetsky.

At Olga’s request, her body is being cremated and will be buried next to her husband at the Eagle Point National Cemetery. A memorial service in Medford will be privately held with the family. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Olga’s honor to the charity of your choice.