Christine Graham (Dellaripa)

Christine (Dellaripa) Graham, 92, of East Hartford, loving wife of over 49 years to the late James Thomas Graham, left this life to join her Savior on Sunday, May 6, 2012. Born in Hartford on January 4, 1920, a daughter of the late Anthony and Maria (Nardella) Dellaripa, ""Chris"" had been a life-long resident of East Hartford, except for her treasured time spent in retirement in Lake Wales, FL. She was long-time communicant of St. Mary's Church, East Hartford and a former member of their Ladies Guild. Prior to her retirement, she was employed for twenty years by Travelers Insurance Data Center, Hartford where she retired as a supervisor. Christine lived a quiet life for the most part, taking extra special care of her family. She loved gardening (especially her flowers), going to area tag sales, antiquing, and will be remembered for her real estate acumen buying and fixing up properties including her last home in East Hartford where she resided under the loving and watchful eye of her daughter ""Trish"". She was also a member of the Nutmeg Depression Glass Club in Southington. Christine leaves behind, both to remember her life and to mourn her passing, her three children, Robert A. Graham of Storrs, Michael J. Graham and his wife, Sue Massa Graham of Bristol, and her daughter, Patricia A. Graham and her longtime companion, Matthew Mazzoli both of East Hartford. Chris also leaves ""The light of her life"", her treasured granddaughter, PFC Cassandra Christine Quinn, 10th Mountain Division, U.S. Army and Fort Drum, NY. She also leaves behind her siblings, brother, Pasquale Dellaripa of East Hartford; sister, Philomena Wade in Texas; her dear friend and card player, Charles Casinghino; her good friends of many years and members of the ""card party"", Mr. and Mrs. Joseph LeDuc of East Hartford; and her longtime friend, Mary Vernile of East Hartford; several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. Chris loved her family and friends and will be sorely missed as the optimistic and thoughtful human being that she was her entire life. She leaves behind a legacy of love and caring.

Funeral services will be Friday (May 11) at 9:30 a.m. from the D'Esopo-East Hartford Memorial Chapel, 30 Carter Street, East Hartford with a Mass of Christian Burial celebrated at 10:30 a.m. at Our Lady of Peace Church, 370 May Road, East Hartford. Burial will be at St. Mary's Cemetery, Burnside Avenue, East Hartford. Relatives and friends may call at the funeral home chapel on Thursday (May 10th) from 4-6 p.m. Memorial contributions in Christine's name may be made to the Raymond Memorial Library, 840 Main Street, East Hartford, CT 06108. For any on-line expressions of sympathy to the family please visit www.desopo.com.