Matilda (Stella) Orsi Passed away quietly in her home in New Britain, CT, March 6, 2023, at the age of 99. She was born April 5, 1923 in Canicattini Bagni, Province of Siracusa, Sicily, Italy. She was the daughter of Francesco and Sebastiana (Lombardo) Stella. Matilda is pre deceased by her parents, her beloved husband of 54 years, Raymond, her dear sister Ersilia Pifferi and her brothers-in-law John Orsi and Bartolomeo Pifferi.
Matilda arrived in New Britain in 1938 at the age of 14. Despite leaving school at 16, she taught herself to navigate a new language and culture and became part of the millions of immigrants making the U.S. their new home. She was employed at Fafnir Bearing, inspecting ball bearings on the assembly line for the war effort. Post war, she became a file clerk at New Britain Machine, where she met Raymond, whom she married in 1947. Her son, Robert was born in 1949. While managing a home for her family, Matilda attained certification in bookkeeping from the Moody School of Commerce and was subsequently employed in that capacity at Crown Dairy and H.L. Moore Drug Supply.
In 1959, Raymond and Matilda purchased a summer cottage at Chalker Beach in Old Saybrook. Together they created a paradise on earth for themselves. They were happiest sharing their special place with family and friends. Matilda was able to spend her final summer at the cottage.
Matilda is survived by her son, Robert Orsi and his husband Thomas McConnell, her nephew Paul Pifferi and his wife Sheri, their children and spouses, Stephen and Joyce Pifferi, Emily and Steve DiBiase and their son, Nathan, her dear cousin, Filomena Tucciarone, Matilda's sister-in-law, Lois Orsi, nephews Raymond Orsi and his wife Nancy, John Orsi, James Orsi and his partner Misi Mazzali, and her niece Linda Horwath and her husband, Peter. In addition, Matilda is survived by numerous great and great great nieces and nephews.
Calling Hours will be held on Monday March 13, 2023 from 4PM-7PM. A brief gathering before church will begin at New Britain Memorial-Donald D Sagarino Funeral Home Tuesday March 14,2023 from 10:00AM to 10:30AM. Funeral Liturgy will be held at St Joseph Church 195 S. Main St New Britain at 11:00AM. Interment services will be held at St Mary's Cemetery Stanley St New Britain at 12:00PM
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.NewBritainSagarino.com for the Orsi family.
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