Mary Bernadine Oakes (Callender)

Mary Bernadine (Callender) Oakes, 84, of East Hartford, entered into eternal rest on Tuesday, January 15, 2013 at the Riverside Health & Rehabilitation Center in East Hartford. Born in Louisville, KY on March 24, 1928, a daughter of the late Richard and Hazel (Snewder) Callender, she had resided in East Hartford for over 35 years. Mary was a former communicant of St. Isaac Jogues Church, East Hartford and was an avid reader and talented knitter. She also volunteered for many years for the Democratic Party in the town of East Hartford and worked annually at the polls on election days. Mary is survived by her son Robert K. Oakes of Manchester, two daughter, Susan Hazel Smith and her husband, Kenneth of Wilmington, NC, Teresa A. Cristelli of Glastonbury; a daughter in-law Debra Oakes of East Hartford. 12 special grandchildren, 18 adored great-grandchildren, one great-great granddaughter; and several dear friends. Besides her parents she was predeceased by a son, Walter G. Oakes, Jr. of East Hartford.

Funeral services will be Friday, January 18, 2013 at 11AM at the D’Esopo- East Hartford Memorial Chapel, 30 Carter Street, East Hartford. Burial will follow at Silver Lane Cemetery, East Hartford. Relatives and friends may call at the funeral home chapel on Friday morning from 10-11AM. For any on-line expressions of sympathy to the family please visit www.desopo.com.