Obituary: Edith M. (Serafino) (Colaci) Santopietro, 86, of Watertown

Edith M. (Serafino) (Colaci) Santopietro, 86, of Bunker Hill Rd., Watertown, formerly of Birch Street, Waterbury, died on Thursday, March 22, 2012, at the Apple Rehabilitation Center, following a long battle with Alzheimer’s Disease. She was the widow of Louis Colaci, and later the widow of Edmund Santopietro.

Santopietro was born in Waterbury on May 26, 1925, daughter of the late Antonio and Carmella (Sciarra) Serafino. She was raised in Waterbury and attended local schools. After the birth of her only child, she enjoyed her life as a homemaker. She was employed as a colorist for a local photographer and worked in sales for several Waterbury clothing stores.

She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, aunt, sister and daughter. She was a communicant of St. Lucy’s Church.

Santopietro was best known for her Italian cookies, lovingly baked for all family occasions, and her passion for singing barbershop harmony as a member of the Waterbury area chapter of Sweet Adelines, competing locally for several years.

She leaves, a daughter, Joanne (Colaci) Maccione and her husband Richard of Woodbury; a brother, Anthony Serafine of Naugatuck; two grandchildren, Courtney Paige Maccione of Hamden, and Ryan Louis Maccione of Woodbury; two great grandchildren, Pia Rose Maccione and Jake Ryan Maccione of Woodbury; a step-son, Edmund Santopietro and his wife Jane of Southbury; and their children, Jessica and Alex; a sister-in-law, Eleanor Saroski of Stratford; nephews James Pepe and David Pepe; and her loving niece and godchild, Cheryl Stefanowicz; and several other nieces, nephews, cousins and former in-laws from her first marriage to the late Louis Colaci. She was predeceased by her sister, Geraldine Pepe.

The family would like to express their gratitude to Apple Rehabilitation and the entire staff of the Courtland wing, most especially to Judi Nolan, R.N., who for several years so lovingly watched over Santopietro with love and compassion.

Calling Hours: 3 to 6 p.m. Sunday, March 25, at Chase Parkway Memorial/The Albini Family Funeral Home, 430 Chase Parkway, Waterbury.

Funeral: 9 a.m. Monday, March 26, at Chase Parkway Memorial/The Albini Family Funeral Home to St. Lucy’s Church for a  10 a.m. mass.

Burial: Following at Calvary Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in her memory to the Alzheimer’s Association of Connecticut, 2075 Silas Deane Highway, Rocky Hill, CT 06067.