Teresa Cavallaro

Teresa 'Cecelia' Cavallaro, 98, of Westbrook, died peacefully on Monday, (August 10, 2009) at her home surrounded by her daughters. She was the beloved wife of the late Gelsomino 'Jesse'Cavallaro. Cecelia was a seamstress, restaurant owner and driver for The Travelers Insurance Company, and she also worked for Dunkin Donuts and Burger King, retiring at the age of 81. Cecelia spent the rest of her life in Westbrook, making pizza, bread and meals for her family gatherings on Sunday. She is survived by her four daughters: Marie Puglisi Novellino and her husband Joseph, of Niantic, Yolanda Ganci and her husband Salvatore, of Naples, FL, Ann Mazur and her husband Joseph, of Windsor and Barbara Cavallaro Pasha and her partner John Muir, of Southington and her sister, Angelina Varricchione of Plainville. She was predeceased by her son, Jesse Cavallaro of Florida. Cecelia also leaves behind 24 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren who adored her and will miss her tremendously. Many thanks to the wonderful staff of Hospice - we couldn't have done it without you. Dear Mom, Gram and Nonni, you have defined the meaning of mother; caring, loving and always there for us. Family was truly your main priority. We will miss all those wonderful times we had the pleasure of sharing with you, but the memories will always remain with us; Sunday gatherings at your house and all the wonderful baking, cooking, sewing and crocheting you did for us. Most of all we will miss you. Your kisses, hugs and your beautiful smile. Your home was always open to everyone. You were everyone's mom, gram and nonni. You made sure our holidays were filled with homemade cookies, our Sundays had homemade pizza, bread and a full meal on the table, and when we were sick we had to have chicken soup. We were lucky to have someone like you in our lives. You were truly a gift from God. We will always keep you in our hearts and prayers. We love you very much and will miss you terribly. Until we meet again, your loving children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Funeral service will be Thursday at 9 a.m. from the D'Esopo Funeral Chapel, 277 Folly Brook Blvd., Wethersfield followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. at St. Patrick & St. Anthony Church, 285 Church Street, Hartford. The burial will be in Mt. St. Benedict Cemetery, Bloomfield. Calling hours are Wednesday from 3-7 p.m. at the funeral chapel. Donations in Cecelia's memory may be made to Middlesex Hospital Hospice & Palliative Care, Office of Philanthropy, 28 Crescent St., Middletown, CT 06457. For on-line expressions of sympathy to the family, please visit www.desopo.com