Marion A. (colangelo) Santomenno

Marion A. (Colangelo) Santomenno, 77, of East Hartford, loving wife of 36 years to the late Frank J. Santomenno, peacefully passed away on Wednesday (June 18, 2008), with her devoted and caring family by her side at Manchester Memorial Hospital after a brief illness. Born in Hartford on December 30, 1930, a daughter of the late Dominic and Mary (Grasso) Colangelo, she had been a resident of East Hartford since 1963. Marion was a graduate of Weaver High School in Hartford, Class of 1949. Prior to her retirement Marion was an aide for the town of South Windsor Pre-School and worked for the East Hartford Middle School in their cafeteria. Marion was a long-time dedicated volunteer for the town of East Hartford Democratic Party and has always worked the polls on election days. She also volunteered at the Manchester Manor Nursing & Rehabilitation Center where she would enjoy visiting and reading to patients whom did not have any local family members. Marion was an avid reader who also loved cooking and sharing her recipes with others. Marion would enjoy camping with her family especially at Cape Cod and in Maine, and spent many summers at the Roaring Brook Campground in Stafford Springs. However, Marion's greatest joy in life was being a proud grandmother who would spoil, care for, and watch her grandchildren as often she could. Marion will be remembered by all who knew her as a kind and gentle woman who was a ""mother"" to everybody she came in contact with. Marion is survived by a son, Frank A. Gelsomino and his wife, Linda, of East Hartford; her daughter and best friend, Linda Greenier and her husband, Joseph, of South Windsor; five special grandchildren, Albert Gelsomino and his wife, Julie, of East Windsor, Chad Gelsomino of Bristol, Keri Greenier of South Windsor, Joseph Greenier of Sherman Oaks, CA, Eric Greenier of South Windsor; three adored great-grandchildren, Shea, Brooke, and Seth Gelsomino; several nieces and nephews; and many dear friends. Funeral service will be Saturday June 21 at 9 a.m. from the D'ESOPO-East Hartford Memorial Chapel, 30 Carter Street, East Hartford with a Mass of Christian Burial celebrated at 10 a.m. at St. Christopher Church, 538 Brewer Street, East Hartford. Burial will follow at St. Mary's Cemetery, Burnside Avenue, East Hartford. Relatives and friends may call at the funeral home chapel on Friday June 20 from 4-8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Marion's memory may be made to a favorite charity of the donor's choice. For any kind expressions of sympathy to the family please visit www.desopo.com