Class of 1940
Rita (Fontanelli) Marselli, 86, wife of Daniel S. Marselli of Middletown passed away February 8, 2009 peacefully at her home.
Born in Middletown on October 24, 1922 daughter of the late Anthony and Mary (Grippo) Fontanelli. She attended local Schools and was a graduate of Middletown high School Class of 1940. She was a member of St. Pius X Church.
Beside Daniel her beloved husband of 66 years, she is survived by a daughter, Danita Marselli-Wyman and her husband Charles of Middletown; a son Frank J. Marselli and his wife Patricia of Newington; a grandson who she helped raise, Fiori Marselli and his wife Monica of Cromwell; she also leaves four grandchildren Daniel Marselli and his wife Kelly of Colchester, Philip Marselli of Cromwell, Brian Marselli and his fiancée Veronica Geaudreau of Stafford Springs and Renee (Marselli) Bruscia and her husband Christopher of Cromwell; six great grandchildren, Alexis Rose, Izabella Rita, Rhiannon, Saxon, Brandon Marselli and Anthony Bruscia; a brother-in-law, Francis Marsilli and his wife Corrine, a brother-in-law, Sistino Marselli, a sister-in-law Norma Fontanelli; a very special friend, Tony Cannon of Bristol; also several nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by a son Robert and her three siblings Joseph, Teresa and Rose.
Besides being a devoted wife and mother and friend, Rita was very spiritual and dedicated to involvement in various Church and Prayer groups. She was truly compassionate and immensely strong woman who lived a life of grace. Throughout her life she made many friends that she continued to hold dear.
The family wishes to thank the very dedicated staff of Middlesex Hospice Unit. In Lieu of flowers donations in her memory may be made to the Weiss Hospice Unit c/o Middlesex Hospital Office of Philanthropy, 28 Crescent St, Middletown 06457. Funeral Services will be held Weds morning at 10:30 a.m. from the D'Angelo Funeral Home, 22 South Main St, Middletown followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at11 a.m. at St. Pius Church. Burial will be in the family plot in St. Sebastian Cemetery, Middlefield. Relatives and friends may call at the funeral home, Wed morning from 9-10:30 a.m.