Yolanda J. (gesualdi) Forte

Yolanda J. (Gesualdi) Forte, 87, of Wethersfield, beloved wife of Thomas F. Forte, Sr., died peacefully on Sunday (December 18, 2005) at Jefferson House, Newington. Born in Wethersfield on December 1, 1918 she was the daughter of the late Joseph and Anna (LaPolla) Gesualdi. She lived in Wethersfield most of her life. She formerly owned and operated, with her husband Tom, TJ's Restaurant in Higganum and later worked for the State of Connecticut, Labor Department. Yolanda was a fabulous cook, she especially loved having all her family around her to help and enjoy her cooking. She was a member of the South West Senior Citizens, Hartford and the St. George Greek Orthodox Senior Citizens Center. Yolanda was an avid UCONN Women's Basketball fan. She was predeceased by her son, Thomas F. Forte, Jr. Besides her beloved husband Thomas of 66 years, who affectionately called her ""Sugar"" and she called him ""Hon"", she is survived by two daughters, Linda and her husband, Dr. William Gustafson of Ocean, New Jersey and Debra Cornelio of Rocky Hill; grandchildren, Dr. Kristin and her husband, Dr. David Gentile, Traci and her husband, Robert McNeil, Dr. Thomas Gustafson and his wife, Holly, and Kenneth Cornelio, Jr.; great grandchildren, Carli, Cady, William and Daniel; a brother, Frank Gesualdi, Sr. and his wife, Joyce of Wethersfield; two sisters, Josephine Waites of Wethersfield and Anna Dudek of Florida, sisters-in-law, Phyllis Kierstead of Florida and Ann Theresa Schieldge of Virginia, dear and close friends, Regina Adajian, Effie Kazakos, Gloria LaPenta and Florence Basile, as well as many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by three sisters and a brother. A very special thank you to Dr. John Russomanno and his staff and to the nurses and staff at Jefferson House for the care and compassion shown to Yolanda and her family. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, December 22 at 10 a.m. at Corpus Christi Church, 601 Silas Deane Highway, Wethersfield. The burial will follow in Rose Hill Memorial Park, Rocky Hill. There are no calling hours. Memorial donations may be made to the VNA Health Care, Inc. Hospice Program, 103 Woodland Street, Hartford, CT. 06105. Funeral arrangements by the D'Esopo Funeral Chapel. For on line expressions of sympathy please visit www.desopo.com.