Alvah Lea Nutini Messina

Alvah Lea Messina, daughter of the late Ada and Leo Nutini, and wife of Peter Messina passed into eternal life on November 17. She joins her younger brother Noel Nutini of Wyoming , RI, who predeceased her in 2013. Lee was born on June 30, 1930, and raised in Cranston, RI, where she graduated from Cranston High in 1947. She received a scholarship to the Rhode Island School of Design but declined, as did many of her generation, to marry.

Professionally she was a psychiatric aide at the Norwich State Hospital for 20 years. She was a talented artist and seamstress; several of her sewing creations won local and statewide prizes. Lee was a civic-minded and outgoing person, who worked for over 40 years serving her community: she donated her time as a voting registrar, acted in or directed many productions of the Norwich City Players, was a three-time president of the Norwich Women’s City Club, and worked many hours for RSVP.

In November 1968 she was married to the love of her life, Peter J. Messina. Together they enjoyed her family, took up golf, and sojourned several times a year to New Hampshire where she found great peace in the mountains and lakes.

She was a loving and resourceful mother who doted on her children and inspired them to overcome adversity. Her admonition to “Straighten up and fly right” inspired us to never let despair overcome us. Her memorable dinners were sumptuous feasts filled with laughter, family stories, and unsurpassably good food.

She is survived by her husband, Peter Messina of Norwich; her three sons and their spouses, Richard and Linda Pezzullo of Gales Ferry, CT, Gary and Marilyn Pezzullo of Clayton, NC, and David and Michelle Pezzullo of Atlantic Highlands, NJ; five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; as well as Peter’s children, Peter Messina Jr., Salvatore Messina, Anna Parille, and John Messina.

She was the sun at the center of our universe of love. She will be sadly missed but lovingly and joyously remembered.

Calling Hours will be held Friday, Nov 21st from 4pm – 7pm at Church & Allen Funeral Home, 136 Sachem St., Norwich, CT. A Calling Hour will also be held Saturday morning from 9 until the time of the Funeral Home Service at 10am. Interment will immediately follow at Maplewood Cemetery in Norwich.

Donations in Lee’s memory may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.

To leave an online condolence, please visit www.churchandallen.com