Ellington Obituary: Wendy Ciparelli, 64

Wendy (Jolly) Ciparelli, 64, of Colchester, beloved wife of 41 years to Peter Ciparelli, passed away at UConn's John Dempsey Hospital in Farmington, on Wednesday, March 1, 2017, following a courageous 16-year journey with cancer.

Wendy was born December 12, 1952, in Putnam to Armand J. Jolly and the late Elsie L. (Murray) Jolly. Wendy grew up in Pomfret Center and graduated from Putnam High School in 1970. She graduated from Central Connecticut State University in 1974 with her Bachelor's Degree, and in 1980, received her Master's Degree from Eastern Connecticut State University. Wendy taught at Eleanor B. Kennelly School in Hartford for 35 years, until her retirement in 2010.

Wendy and Peter raised their family in Ellington. Wendy served as a member of the Ellington Board of Education for as long as her children were in high school, proudly presenting each child with their diploma. She actively participated in, and in many cases led, the activities that interested her children as they were growing up, including Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and sports teams.

Wendy always took care of other people. She loved her family whole-heartedly and enjoyed organizing family events and parties. She enjoyed spending time at the Cape and Quaddick Lake with her family and camping with friends. For more than a decade, Wendy participated in the annual "Making Strides Against Breast Cancer" walks in Connecticut, leading the ever-growing "Wendy's Walkers" team. Wendy served as the president of the Colchester Garden Club, as well as a Legacy Committee member and reunion organizer for the USS Emmons Association.

Wendy is survived by her husband, Peter; her father, Armand J. Jolly of Pomfret Center; her children, Jessica Ciparelli of South Windsor; Christopher Ciparelli and his wife Katherine, their children Thea, Arlo, and Rhys of New Milford; Gregory Ciparelli of New Britain; Angela Ciparelli and her children Tyler Cottrill and Abigail Ciparelli of Colchester; her brother Dennis Jolly and his wife Donna of Hebron; mother-in-law Irene Ciparelli; sister-in-law Maryann Meade; two nieces, Amanda Jolly and Kathryn Meade; one nephew, Stephen Jolly; extended family, and friends. Besides her mother, Wendy was predeceased by her grandson, Oliver Ciparelli, and her father-in-law, Francis Ciparelli.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, March 7, 2017, at 11 am, directly at St. Luke's Church, 141 Maple Street, Ellington. Burial will follow at Ellington Center Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Wendy's memory may be made to the Ellington Community Scholarship Association, P.O. Box 54, Ellington, CT 06029.

For online condolences and directions, please visit www.CarmonFuneralHome.com.