Grace Mary Colgan

Grace M. “Gracie” (Tasillo) Colgan, 89, of East Hartford and Pompano Beach, FL, passed away peacefully at her home on Thursday, March 11, 2021 with her daughters, Cindy and Kathy by her side, as well as her caregiver Ana. Grace was the loving wife of 55 years of the late John “Jack” Colgan. Born in Hartford on November 12, 1931, a daughter of the late George and Catherine (Sassano) Tasillo, she graduated from Bulkeley High School in Hartford, class of 1949. Prior to her retirement Grace was employed for several years by the State of Connecticut Department of Health. Grace loved family vacations in Old Saybrook, traveling, playing board games, family card games, and listening and dancing to the “oldies but goodies”. She also was an avid reader of books, and liked solving crossword and regular puzzles. Most of all, she was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother who loved watching her son John play sports as well as her grandchildren.

Grace is survived by three daughters, Sharon DeForge of Suffield, Kathleen Kehoe of East Hartford, Cynthia Vaillancourt and her husband Steven of East Hartford; a son, John Colgan and his wife Vicki of Old Town, ME; six special grandchildren, Jaime and Alan Wasylychyn, Erica, Michael, Jonathan, Taylor, and Catherine; five adored great-grandchildren, Devin, Arianna, Avery, Jaxson, and Keyliana. She also leaves a sister-in-law, Carolyn Tasillo of West Hartford; many nieces, nephews, and dear friends. Besides her beloved husband and parents, Grace was predeceased by a son-in-law, Richard DeForge of Suffield, and her brother, Biagio “Sonny” Tasillo of Old Saybrook.

Funeral service will be Saturday, March 20, 2021with a funeral procession from the D’Esopo-East Hartford Memorial Chapel, 30 Carter Street, East Hartford at 10 am followed by a Mass of Christian Burial celebrated at 10:30 am at St. Christopher Church of St. Edmund Campion Parish, 538 Brewer Street, East Hartford. Burial will be at Silver Lane Cemetery, East Hartford. Grace’s family will receive relatives and friends on Saturday morning (March 20th) from 8:30 am to 10:00 am at the funeral home chapel. Due to the current health pandemic, everyone is asked to please wear a face covering and adhere to all of the state and church regulations. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Grace’s name may be made to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or to the Recovery Club of Windsor, 118 Palisado Avenue, Windsor, CT 06095. Grace’s family would like to extend their sincere gratitude and appreciation to her loving and compassionate caregivers, Ana, Sylvia, and Nancy along with the caring nurses and staff at Vitas Healthcare for their professionalism, care, and love given to Grace and her entire family. For on-line expressions of sympathy to the family please visit www.desopoeh.com.