Nicolina Polletta

Nicolina (Rinaldi) Polletta, 93, beloved wife of the late Giuseppe Polletta, passed away peacefully on Sunday January 28, 2024. Born December 4, 1930 in Pontelandolfo, Province of Benevento Italy, she was the daughter of the late Giovanni and Antonia (Guerrera) Rinaldi. She came to America with her son and husband to live in Hartford for many years.

Nicolina was a devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She was a hard worker, spending over 30 years leading a team of seamstresses at Manchester Moda and, after that, she worked as seamstress at the bridal store Mariella Creations. Nicolina loved knitting and made beautiful blankets, and enjoyed making them for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren alike. Loved by so many for generosity and delicious cooking, Nicolina was also actively involved in the Sons of Italy and was a longtime member of the Saint Anthony Society.

Nicolina was a force of energy and a paragon of grit and resolve, despite the loss of her husband and beloved son Anthony “Tony”. She was a rock to those around her, dishing old proverbs like “what are you going to do, you gotta try and do the best you can” – and she was right!

Nicolina loved cooking, which she shared with family and friends as a means to preserve the culture from which she came. Hours spent preparing food together was a treat and a learning experience. She was lucky to be able to pass along this knowledge to her two great-grandchildren as well.

A loving mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, Nicolina will be forever missed by her granddaughter Adria Polletta and her husband Mike Clark of Pawtucket, RI; her grandson, Adam Polletta and his wife Colleen Polletta of Worcester MA; her daughter-in-law, Joan Sheary of Wellington, Florida and two adored great-grandchildren, Siena and Lucia Clark. She also is survived by many nieces, nephews and extended family members in Italy. In addition to her husband Giuseppe, son Anthony and parents, Nicolina was predeceased by her brother, Michele and sister, Concetta.

Family and Friends may call on Thursday, February 1, from 9:45-10:45 a.m. at the D’Esopo Funeral Chapel, 277 Folly Brook Blvd., Wethersfield. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11:30 a.m. at Corpus Christi Church of Christ the King Parish, 601 Silas Deane Highway, Wethersfield. Burial in Mt. St. Benedict Cemetery, Bloomfield will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Cam Neely House in Boston https://camneelyfoundation.org/ in honor of Nicolina and the time she spent there with her son Tony. To share a memory of Nicolina, please visit www.desopofuneralchapel.com.