Leona (Schilling) Baldassario

Leona (Schilling) Baldassario, 68, of Manchester, beloved wife of Michael J. Baldassario entered into eternal rest on Thursday (July 3, 2014) with her family by her side. She was born in Bristol on September 14, 1945, the daughter of the late Michael and Annie (Phaneuf) Schilling. She was employed by the Town of Manchester for 30 years, and worked as a Records Clerk at the Manchester Police Department for the last 15 years. Leona was an avid bowler and a member of the WBA. She loved to read and was a member of many book clubs. Leona was a very generous person who donated to many local charities. Besides her husband of 45 years she is also survived by her loving children, Andrew Baldassario and his wife Amanda of Manchester and Angela Johnson and her husband Christopher of Tolland; her adored grandchildren Alexander, Brian, Dylan, Isabella, Vincent and Alena; her brothers Frankie, John and Dan Schilling; her sisters Virginia and Mary Ellen. Leona is also survived by her sister-in-law Marlene and her husband Robert, and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her granddaughter Christine Johnson; her brother Michael Schilling; her sisters Marie Schilling, Mamie Maxellon and Gloria Martin; her nephew Kirk; her niece Annie Fiondella; her father-in-law Charles Baldassario; her mother-in-law Isabella Baldassario; her aunt Grace Bonee; her uncle Joe Erardi; her brother-in-law Charles Baldassario and her sister-in-law Catherine Poggie.

Funeral services will begin at 9a.m. on Tuesday (July 8th) from the D’Esopo Funeral Chapel, 277 Folly Brook Blvd., Wethersfield. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday at 10am at St. Bridget Church, 80 Main Street, Manchester. The burial will follow at Mt. St. Benedict Cemetery, Bloomfield. Family and friends may visit the funeral chapel on Monday from 4-8p.m. Leona’s family would like to thank the staff at the John A. Dequattro Cancer Center, the VNA of Vernon, Dr. Theresa Caputo, Sister Joan O’Connor and Fr. Terry for all of their compassion and care. For online expressions of sympathy please visit www.desopo.com