Carmela Manuli Saglimbeni

The eldest of the seven Manuli children, she was the leader of the family, and when she met her husband Anthony at 18, they married and moved to America from Sicily where she was born and raised. Soon, they were able to bring her parents and 5 of the 6 siblings over and they created a sense of community. They had two sons, Carmen and Anthony Saglimbeni Jr., and together, Carmela and Anthony raised their family as well as successfully ran a family business with Carmela’s sisters, Reliable Cleaners and Tailoring, for nearly 40 years before retiring in October of 2024.

Although Carmela suffered a double brain aneurism at age 35 that left her paralyzed on her left side and with a slew of health issues, it did not slow her down. She relearned how to walk, talk and everything that came with it. She continued to work, both at the business and more importantly in being there for her family. After raising her sons, Carmela became a pillar of support to her sibling’s children. She raised her nieces and nephews with a support, love and patience that is nearly indescribable.

Carmela enjoyed gardening, her eye for detail oversaw the planting of each tomato plant, each leaf of basil was inspected and with the efficiency of a drill sergeant, she commanded her troops of siblings, in laws and next generation cousins each planting and harvest time.

Her talents in the garden, and kitchen were unmatched; prior to her brain surgery she would hand make clothing, her skill in sewing taught by her father, who had been a tailor in Italy.

Carmela primarily enjoyed spending time with the children in her family, and her joy multiplied with her grandchildren, Anthony, Liam and Elizabeth Giovanna; she loved nothing more than when great nieces and nephews came along and she would thrive seeing all the children together. Many will remember not only the iron willpower of Carmela, but also the glow and softness that came with her gentle heart. Carmela would attribute her strength and force of will to her relationship with God.

Carmela’s family would like to sincerely thank the staff of both the Middlesex and Yale New Haven hospitals for taking excellent care of their matriarch. Her parents, Giuseppe and Giuseppa Manuli, her sister Maria Manuli and her grandson Anthony Angelo Saglimbeni, predecease Carmela. Her husband Anthony Saglimbeni Sr. and son Carmen and wife Heather Saglimbeni and their son Liam Skiles survive her. She is also survived by son Anthony Saglimbeni Jr. his wife Erin, and their daughter Elizabeth Giovanna as well Carmela’s other siblings, nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews who miss their “Carmy” already.

A Public Visitation will be held from 4pm to 6 pm on Thursday April 10, at Robinson, Wright & Weymer Funeral Home, 34 Main Street, Centerbrook, CT, with a service to follow from 6 to 7pm that evening. A private funeral will be held at a later time. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Carmela’s name to the Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House Charity.