Maryrita E. Pontillo

Mrs. Pontillo was born in West Haven, CT, on August 10, 1921 to Lucia Christine Massari and Albert J. Oneto. She and her family shared homes in Clinton for 68 years.

She was an educator having taught children at the elementary level at Center School, Old Lyme, CT for thirty years. She retired in 1990.

Mrs. Pontillo held a BS in Education from New Haven State Teachers College, now SCSU where she was sport head of Modern Dance; an MA in Education from St. Joseph College, West Hartford, CT; and an MS in Guidance-Psychology from SCSU. She held certificates in Sex Education, Internal Relations, Great Books Leader, Training, and Sensitivity Training.

She was a member of the NEA, CEA, RETA, and SE Reading Council.

She was a recipient of a NSF (National Science Foundation) Scholarship in Elementary Science, St. Joseph College, West Hartford.

Mrs. Pontillo was a past president of the Clinton Public Health Nursing Association, a member of the Clinton PTA and PTO, and the Red Cross where she served as chairman and Home-Health and coordinator for Christmas Seals towns of Clinton and Killingworth. She held a Red-Cross certificate in Mass Feeding, (feeding the people in emergency situations).

She was a communicant of St. Mary’s of the Visitation Church, Clinton, CT. She was a past member of the Altar Society, serving as publicity chairman, and chairman of the kitchen committee. Also, she was an associate member of the Clinton Art Society.

Presently, after retiring from education she became more active in her church. Along with her husband she served on the Hospitality Committee, Prayers of The Faithful, and Stewardship Committee where she served as chairman.

During her high school and college years she pursued interests in music and in dance.

During WWII, she worked in the offices of the Army Air Corp at bases where her husband, Louis, was an instructor in CNS (Control Net System) located in Tomah, Madison, and Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin.

Predeceased by her husband of 64 years, Louis Pontillo, Sr. Mourning her loss are her sons: Louis Pontillo, Jr. and daughter-in-law Amy Buonvino Pontillo of Southbury, CT; Christy Pontillo and daughter-in-law Sandra Gosselin Pontillo of Clinton, CT; and Larry Pontillo and daughter-in-law Kathleen Poqwidz of New York City, NY.

Also surviving, are her three granddaughters: Jennifer Anne Pontillo of Famingham, MA; Sara Pontillo Johnson and grandson-in-law Todd Johnson of Clinton, CT; and Lisa Pontillo Keane and grandson-in-law David Keane of Sandy Hook, CT.

Also surviving are four great granddaughters: Isabella and Bridget Johnson and Alexis and Paige Keane.

She is also survived by a brother Larry Oneto of Naples, FL.

She was predeceased by a brother Albert J. Oneto, Jr.

Additionally she is survived by her loving sister-in-law Vivian Strona Oneto and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Calling hours are Sunday October 26, from 3-6pm, Swan Funeral Home 80 E. Main St. Clinton, CT and a Mass of Christian burial will be held at St Mary’s of the Visitation on Monday October 27th 10 Am. Burial will follow, in family plot, at St. Mary Cemetery, Clinton CT. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Memorial Fund, St. Mary’s of the Visitation Church, Clinton, CT or Radiation Department at Middlesex Memorial Hospital.

For online tributes and condolences please visit www.swanfh.com.