Hartford Obituary: Marie Milardo, 94

Marie M. (Melluzzo) Milardo, 94, of Newington, peacefully passed away on October 13, 2017. Marie was the beloved wife of the late Michael Milardo for 49 years.

Born in Hartford on May 5, 1923, Marie was the daughter of the late Santo and Anna (Rapoli) Melluzzo. She was predeceased by her brothers Joseph and John, and sister Lucy.

Marie graduated from Bulkeley High School and Hillyer College, and first worked at Connecticut General. She later returned to CCSU and earned her teaching degree in 1966.

Marie worked for Newington Public Schools first as a grade 5 teacher at Elm Hill School, and later as a reading consultant at Martin Kellogg Middle School after she got her 6th year degree.

Marie retired in 1983 and spent her time traveling with her husband Michael (they went on 10 cruises), spending quality time with their grandchildren, playing golf and bridge, and serving as a member and as president of the Alpha Delta Kappa sorority, and as a member of the Newington Retired Teachers Association.

From 1998-2001, Marie volunteered as a reading intervention teacher at John Wallace Middle School. During her time at Cedar Mountain Commons and Jefferson House, Marie was a fixture in the game room spending her time playing cards, board games, and "Farkle" with her friends.

A woman of great faith, Marie was a 64-year member of Saint Mary Church, Newington, where she also volunteered as a CCD teacher of religious education. She was also a facilitator for the RENEW program and was a member of the Legion of Mary.

Marie is survived by her sons and their spouses, David and Elizabeth of Newington, and Mark and Cindy of Colorado Springs, CO., her grandchildren Teraesa and Jennifer Chagnon, Kimberly and Owen Daly, Kara and Doc Schumacher, and Kristin Milardo, and her great-grandchildren Reese Chagnon, Keira Daly, Owen Daly, Sienna Daly, Luke Schumacher, and Leila Schumacher. She also leaves behind her brother-in-law Joseph Milardo, several nieces and nephews, and her "Farkle Friend", Jeri Lynn Turkowitz, who visited her almost daily at Jefferson House.

Marie touched many lives in Newington and was the most positive and uplifting person anyone could ever meet. Her faith inspired her to value every person as God's loving creation and she poured God's joy on everyone she met. Throughout her life, she always found something in common with everyone, whether to share a talk, a laugh, or a tear. This explains why she received such a large volume of regular visitors of family, friends, neighbors, former coworkers, former students, acquaintances, and many others while at Jefferson House, to whom the family is grateful.

Arrangements are under the direction of Duksa Family Funeral Homes at Newington Memorial and there will be no calling hours. Those who wish to help celebrate Marie's wonderful life are invited to attend her funeral on Saturday, October 21, 2017 with a Mass of Christian Burial meeting directly at Saint Mary Church, 626 Willard Avenue, Newington, starting at 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow the Mass at West Meadow Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to Saint Mary Church, 626 Willard Avenue, Newington, CT 06111, ℅ Father Shawn Daly.