Obituary: Nicoletta ‘Nettie’ Grella, 84, Of Naugatuck

NAUGATUCK, CT — (From Alderson-Ford Funeral Home): Nicoletta “Nettie” Grella, 84, passed away on March 3, 2024, at VITAS at St. Mary’s Hospital. She was the wife of the late Louis N. Grella.

Mrs. Grella was born in Brooklyn, New York, the daughter of the late Sylvester Constantino and Michelina (Mariano) von Lott, and step-daughter of Henry von Lott. She came to Connecticut at the age of 3 years old, residing in Waterbury before moving to Naugatuck in the 1970s where she and her husband Lou bought their first home.

Mrs. Grella and her husband were joined at the hip. They were communicants of St. Francis of Assisi Church and were active in the St. Francis Home School Association and the Holy Cross High School Parents Club.

Mrs. Grella is survived by her two loving daughters, Annette M. Merritt and her husband, Kyle of Southington, and Krista Hess and her husband, N. Warren “Pete” Hess; her five grandchildren and loving “grand-dogs” whom she adored; her brothers-in-law Albert Grella and his wife Charlotte, and Jerry Grella and his wife Sue; as well as several nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews and great-great nieces and nephews. In addition to her late husband, her parents, and stepfather, Mrs. Grella is predeceased by her infant son Steven, who died at birth.

Nettie’s biggest joy besides spending time with her grandchildren, was shopping with her dearest friend, Bonnie Cipriano. Nettie also loved cooking for her friends and family and gathering for fun family traditions of canning tomatoes and making Easter pies.

Arrangements – Visitation will be held on Friday, March 15, 2024, at the Alderson-Ford Funeral Home of Naugatuck, 201 Meadow St. from 9 a.m. until the funeral procession leaves for the church at 10:30. A Mass Christian Burial will be held on Friday at 11 a.m. at St. Francis of Assisi Church, 318 Church St., Naugatuck. Burial will follow in All Saints Cemetery, Waterbury.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Naugatuck Ecumenical Food Bank, P.O. Box 796, Naugatuck, CT 06770 or to Saint Francis Church, 318 Church St., Naugatuck, CT 06770.

For online condolences, to share a photo or a story, please visit www.fordfh.com.