Jean Catherine (Cermola) Galinsky, age 92, wife of the late Saul Sam Galinsky, passed peacefully surrounded by her loving family on Dec. 1, 2021. Born in St. Francis Hospital on February 5, 1929, she was the daughter of the late Carmine and Letizia (Adamo) Cermola of Hartford, Connecticut.
One of ten children, Jean grew up in the South End of Hartford, and attended St. Augustine Grammar School and Bulkeley High School. She married Saul in 1955, lovingly and courageously bringing together her Catholic faith with his Jewish heritage.
Jean especially cherished watching her grandchildren grow into fine young men and women and always looked forward to precious family time at the Galinsky cottage at Point O Woods Beach and all the memorable family gatherings during the holidays.
She was a loving mother, and leaves behind her five sons and their spouses and friends, Jim and Anne Galinsky of Madison, Andrew and Cheryl Galinsky of Glastonbury, George and Nicholina Galinsky of Stonington, Robert Galinsky of NYC, Philip Galinsky of NYC, and Allison Phillips of NYC. She leaves behind eight grandchildren and their spouses and friends: Lauren and John Driscoll, Phillip and Catherine Galinsky, Leah and Ryan Hansen, and Alicia Galinsky, Jenna Galinsky, Andrew Galinsky, Trager Galinsky, Gregory Galinsky, and their close friends. She also leaves her sister Ann Schmidt of Milwaukee, Wisconsin and many very special nieces, nephews, cousins and family friends.
Upon graduating from Bulkeley High School she joined the Travelers Insurance Co., Inc. She later went on to work for Kaiser Permanente for several years where she shone brightly working closely and kindly with the doctors, nurses, patients and staff.
Jean was affiliated with several major charitable events for non-profit organizations, among them the Wethersfield Historical Society, the American Heart Association (AHA), Wethersfield Village Garden Club and Corpus Christi Parish School. She was co-chair of the 12th Annual AHA French Fashion Show held at G. Fox & Co., and of the first ever Corpus Christi Scholarship Ball. She and her late husband Saul were also vital members of Wethersfield’s Democratic Party for many years. Jean was always generous with her time volunteering, and was frequently the assistant moderator at the polls.
She had a flair for fashion, art and interior decorating. She will be remembered for her style, beauty and great sense of humor. Jean was very hardworking, but always liked to have fun along the way. She was also kind, open minded and generous.
Jean was pre-deceased by her sisters Mary Smallbeck of Aneta, ND, Rose Lynch of Glastonbury, CT, Terry Blackstone of East Hartford, CT, and brother’s Luke Cermola of Ft. Lauderdale, FL, Joseph Cermola of Southington, CT, Dominic Cermola of Hartford, CT, and Ernest Cermola of West Hartford.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are encouraged to the Town of Wethersfield Police Department, the Town of Wethersfield Mental Health Services Division, or Hartford Healthcare Hospice at Home.
Funeral services will take place at Christ the King Parish (Corpus Christi Church), 601 Silas Deane Hwy., Wethersfield on Saturday, December 4, at 11:00 a.m. Immediate family will gather together for a private burial, to honor Jean’s wishes. To sign the online registry book or to leave a message of condolence, please visit www.desopofuneralchapel.com.
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