Vilma Malara

Vilma Malara, previously of Thornwood, N.Y, passed away Sunday, March 13th, surrounded by those she cherished most, after a courageous battle with cancer. Vilma was born March 13, 1935, in Scarsdale, NY, and was welcomed into heaven on her 87th birthday.

She was predeceased by the love of her life Pasquale “Pat” Malara, to whom she was lovingly married for 55 years. Together they had four daughters, which grew over the years into many grandkids and great-grandkids. Vilma was also pre-deceased by her Daughter Karen Cortese and Son-in-law Chris Cortese and leaves behind her Daughter Linda Garbowski, Daughter Diane Reilly and Son-in-law Frank Reilly, Daughter Patricia Gallagher and Son-in-law Jim Gallagher; her Grandchildren Joseph and Chrissy Garbowski, Mikey and Tracy Garbowski, Christian and Eliza Cortese, Danielle Cortese, Nicholas, and Christopher Gallagher, Shannon, Brian, and Stephanie Reilly; her Great-Grandchildren Matthew, Kyle, Kaitlyn, Ellie, Cody, Tucker, and Sophia.

For almost 50 years, Vilma ran an At-Home Daycare business, helping to shape and care for the lives of countless children, all of whom she loved as if they were her own. Vilma was known by all as “Mema”, whether you were family or friends. She lived for one thing and that was her family, for which she found no greater joy than being with and supporting her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Whether it was during her weekly Sunday dinners, over-the-top Christmas celebrations, or New Year at the Villa Roma, Vilma has built deep-rooted traditions that will continue to live on through her greatest legacies.

A mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 1:00 PM on Friday, March 18th at Saint Joseph’s Church, 163 Whisconier Road, Brookfield, CT.

Should family and friends desire, contributions can be sent to the American Cancer Society, in the hopes that one day there can be a cure for this disease that has taken so many loved ones, including our beloved “Mema”.