Carmelina Testa

Carmelina (Neri) Testa, 90, of East Hartford, passed away on Friday, February 14th with her loving family by her side.. Carmelina was the beloved wife of the late Carmelo Testa, with whom she shared 60 wonderful years together.

Born in Biancavilla, Sicily on February 15, 1934, she was the daughter of the late Salvatore and Alfina (Minissale) Neri. At the age of 21, Carmelina left Italy with her family in the pursuit of new dreams and settled in Connecticut, working for Royal Typewriter. She was embraced by a vibrant and welcoming Italian community in the South End of Hartford, where she would meet the love of her life, Carmelo. Carmelina and Carmelo married and eventually moved to East Hartford, where they built their forever home, enjoying time with their family and many friends. Carmelina loved cooking, had a talent for sewing, and a passion for music. She was a devoted member of St. Christopher Church in East Hartford and remained strongly committed to her faith.

Carmelina was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother to her three children, Sebastian Testa and wife Dr. Nancy Testa of Colchester, Salvina Reale and her late husband Joseph of East Hartford, and Alfina Rizza and husband Paul Rizza of South Windsor. She leaves her seven adored grandchildren, Claudia (Testa) Imperati and husband Anthony, Christopher Testa, Dr. Antonio Reale, Stefanie (Reale) Duran and husband Orlando, Alisa (Reale) Gradilone and husband Chris, Julia Rizza and Emily Rizza along with her six cherished great-grandchildren.

Carmelina is also survived by her brother Frank Neri and wife Maria of Vernon, sister Maria Bonanno and her late husband Alfio of Ellington, as well as many nieces, nephews, extended family members and friends, both in the U.S. and in Italy.

In addition to her husband and parents, Carmelina was predeceased by her sisters-in-law Maria Augello, Concetta Rizza and Lucia Zappulla .

The family would like to thank Ewa, Cindy, Rose, Tracy, and Nadia for their loving and gentle care.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday (February 22nd) at 10 a.m. at St. Patrick-St. Anthony Church, 285 Church Street, Hartford. Burial will follow in Cedar Hill Cemetery, Hartford. Family and friends may call on Friday, from 4-7 p.m. at D’Esopo Funeral Chapel, 277 Folly Brook Blvd, Wethersfield, CT.

Memorial donations is Carmelina's memory may be made to the Padre Pio Foundation of America, 463 Main Street, Cromwell, CT 06416.

To share a memory of Carmelina with her family, please visit www.desopofuneralchapel.com

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