Illuminata (Vitaliano) Basile, 88, of Wethersfield, beloved wife for 63 years of the late Pietro Basile, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her loving family on Thursday, February 21, 2019. Born in Girifalco, province of Catanzaro, Calabria, Italy on March 24, 1930, she was the daughter of the late Vincenzo and Maria Teresa (Sergi) Vitaliano. She was predeceased by her older brother, Paolo Vitaliano.
On January 23, 1953, she arrived in New York Harbor, from Girifalco, five months pregnant with her daughter, Marianna, on the maiden voyage of the Andrea Doria. Alone and expecting, she pioneered the way to America for countless Girifalcese family and friends. The wonderful Canneto family took her in and her infant daughter in West Hartford, until her husband and son Salvatore arrived in November of 1953. In 1956, her baby boy Vincenzo, was born in Hartford. From Front Street to the South End of Hartford to Wethersfield, she raised and nurtured her three children with loving and tender hands, imprinting gentility and compassion. She and her devoted husband enjoyed the beaches and sun of Singer Island Florida and Giants Neck Heights. Her whole family enjoyed and loved her fabulously delicious meals full of olive oil, spices, and plump tomatoes.
The loves of her life were her four precious grandchildren, who will love her evermore. Illuminata will be forever missed and cherished by her three children, son Salvatore Basile and wife Myriam of Wethersfield, daughter Marianna Basile of Bradenton, Florida, and son Vincenzo Basile and wife Patricia of Scituate, Massachusetts; four adored grandchildren, Salvatore L. Basile, Gabrielle Basile and David Regan, Vincenzo Basile and wife Sarah, and Jillian Jenkins and husband Mark. She is also survived by the Arcila family: Alejandro, Julie, and their children, Alejandro Jr., Julia, and Aidan. She also leaves a brother, Rocco Vitaliano and wife Filomena of Newington, as well as many loving nieces and nephews and cousins, here in Connecticut and in Italy, along with countless friends. A special thank you to the caring Josie, Jennie, Cindy, Lauren, and Gina.
Funeral services will begin on Monday (February 25) at 9:30 a.m. at the D’Esopo Funeral Chapel, 277 Folly Brook Blvd., Wethersfield followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. at Christ the King Parish (Corpus Christi Church), 601 Silas Deane Hwy., Wethersfield. Entombment will be in Mt. St. Benedict Cemetery, Bloomfield. Family and friends may call on Sunday from 2-5 p.m. at the funeral chapel. The family wishes for you to share a memory of Illuminata at www.desopofuneralchapel.com
