Linda Yarrow, formerly of South Glastonbury, passed away peacefully on September 14, 2026, at Bel-Air Manor in Newington at the age of 77. Linda was born in Hartford, Connecticut on October 4, 1948 to the late Elios Cirelli and Loretta Merckel. A lifelong learner and dedicated educator, Linda graduated from Bulkeley High School Class of 1966, where she was salutatorian. She went on to earn her master’s degree in education from Central Connecticut State University.
Linda devoted much of her professional life to education as a mathematics teacher at Wethersfield High School. She was known for her logical mind, discipline, and remarkable memory. She never seemed to forget a date or birthday and took great pride in remembering the important moments in the lives of those she loved.
Linda was a traditional woman who valued family, friendship, learning, and the simple pleasures of life. She loved gardening, dancing, and reading, and she had a special fondness for collecting bears and chimpanzees. During her retirement, Linda enjoyed traveling with her beloved sister Louise and a small circle of close friends and former colleagues, creating many cherished memories along the way.
Linda was preceded in death by her first husband, Giovanni Lonardo, who passed away in 1989 after 17 years of marriage, and her second husband, Robert Yarrow, who passed away in 1997 after five years of marriage.
She leaves behind her only son, John Lonardo, and his wife, Amber; her grandson, John Noah Lonardo; and her sister, Louise Cirelli O’Brien. She will be remembered with love and gratitude by her family, friends, former students, colleagues, and all who had the privilege of knowing her.
A visitation will be held on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, from 9:30 to 11:15 a.m. at D’Esopo Funeral Chapel, 277 Folly Brook Boulevard, Wethersfield followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 12 noon at the Church of the Incarnation of Christ the King Parish, 544 Prospect Street, Wethersfield. Burial will be in Cedar Hill Cemetery in Hartford. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society atwww.cancer.org/dignitymemorial or the Parkinson’s Foundation at www.parkinson.org
To leave a message of remembrance for the family, please visit www.desopofuneralchapel.com
