Eleanor D'Esopo

Eleanor M. (LaCava) D’Esopo, 101, of Old Saybrook, formerly of Wethersfield and Newington, joined her late beloved husband, Michael J. D’Esopo on May 13, 2016 surrounded by her daughters. Eleanor was born on January 11, 1915 on Kilbourne Street on the old east side of Hartford. She was the second of ten children born to the late Pasquale and Carmela (Laraia) LaCava. She attended Hartford Public Schools and graduated from Bulkeley High School, Class of 1933B. After graduation, her work years were spent at G. Fox & Co. and later as a telephone operator for the Southern New England Phone Co. In 1939, she married her high school sweetheart and they enjoyed 54 years of marriage together.

She was a former member of St. Patrick-St. Anthony Mr. & Mrs. Club, The Incarnation Church Women’s Club, and the Young Italian American Association. She was an accomplished artist and a member of the Wethersfield Art League. Over the years, she, along with her husband, played an influential role in the success of the family business. She was a woman of conviction with a huge heart and a strong belief in God. She is survived by her four jewels (as she referred to her daughters) Marie E. Vasile, Carmela L. D’Esopo, Donna D. DiBella and her husband William, Janet D. Klett and her husband Michael, her seven grandchildren; Darlene M. White, Teraesa M. Williamson, Michael N. Prince, Gina C. King, Stephen M. King, Marc A. DiBella and Michael D. Klett, and eight great grandchildren. She is also survived by her siblings; Mary Pandolfe and Dominick LaCava, her sister-in-law, Vicki LaCava and many wonderful nieces and nephews. Awaiting Eleanor in Eternity, in addition to her husband and parents, are her siblings; Rose Cancelmo, Rocco V. LaCava, Antoinette Cicalese, Frances Dammiller, Anna Murasso and Jerry LaCava. The funeral is Wednesday at 9 a.m. from the D’Esopo Funeral Chapel, 277 Folly Brook Blvd. Wethersfield with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in St. Patrick-St. Anthony Church, 285 Church St., Hartford celebrated by her nephew, the Reverend Jeremiah Murasso. Burial will follow in Cedar Hill Cemetery, Hartford. The family will receive relatives and friends on Tuesday from 4-7 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Patrick-St. Anthony Church. To leave an expression of sympathy, please visit www.desopo.com. The family would like to express their sincerest appreciation to the wonderful caregivers on the Arrowhead Wing 3rd floor at Gladeview Rehabilitation & Health Care Center who contributed so wonderfully to Eleanor’s quality of life in her later years. “Her children rise up and call her blessed; Many women do noble things, But you surpass them all.” Proverbs 31:28:29. Until we meet again…