Maryellen (Schaaf) Calchera, of Eastford, Connecticut, Boston, Massachusetts, and St. Petersburg, Florida, died at peace and in gratitude for her life on October 22, 2019. She was born in Bridgeport Connecticut to Eugene Graham Schaaf and Mary (Sweeney) Schaaf on February 7, 1947. Maryellen is survived by her daughter Amy (Calchera) Young, son-in-law Jay Young and granddaughters Caroline and Emma of Valrico, FL daughter Megan Calchera and granddaughter Phoebe Calchera of Eastford, CT, her sisters Barbara (Schaaf) Tessitore and her husband Gary of New York City, Kathleen (Schaaf) Cropper and husband Steve of New York City, Maureen Schaaf of Tempe, Arizona, sister-in-law Jane (Calchera) Gerwien and husband Edwin, as well as loving nieces, nephews, grand-nieces grand-nephews and many cousins.
Maryellen was predeceased by her husband and love of her life David Calchera by three months. They exemplified true partnership - always together, they accomplished their personal and professional successes and saw each other through serious illnesses. Their greatest joy was their daughters and granddaughters. They lived the highs and lows of their children’s lives and then their grandchildren’s lives and provided them all the love, encouragement, compassion, stability, and common sense that have fostered the same qualities in all of them. The home David and Maryellen created was warm, safe, and welcoming to all and many experienced and appreciated that acceptance.
Maryellen’s love and commitment to children extended to her community. Maryellen was a graduate of Bridgeport School of Nursing and her career included Lamaze instruction, labor and delivery, school nursing, and pediatric care. As a result, many in the Windham area literally know her from birth through childhood and Windham High School and then as new parents in Dr. Kelly’s pediatric office. Even after Maryellen retired, she volunteered her time to ensuring children received immunizations.
Maryellen was treated for Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 1995, defying odds and living for an additional 23 years before complications of her treatment claimed her. She lived those years even more intensively than her previous years, traveling, attending plays and concerts, making and deepening friendships and doing her best to make sure everyone around her was happy. She was sunny and optimistic and always calmest in crisis, soothing the injuries felt by others. Her loving presence will be missed by her family and friends.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a memorial donation in Maryellen’s name to Planned Parenthood to honor her life-long commitment to improved access to reproductive healthcare and the health of all families.
A celebration of the lives of David and Maryellen Calchera will be held on Friday, January, 24, 2020, 2 pm – 6 pm at the Uconn Alumni Center, 2384 Alumni Dr Unit 3053, Storrs, CT 06269.
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