Obituary of Bridget S. Colella

Bridget Stewart Colella Bridget Stewart Colella, 94, of West Hartford, CT, formerly a life- long resident of Rome, passed away at St. Mary's Home, with her daughter at her side, on October 4, 2009, following a brief illness. Bridget was born in Rome on November 13, 1914, daughter of the late Dominick and Pauline Dalto Stewart. On October 3, 1938, she was united in marriage to Joseph J. Colella, in St. John the Baptist Church, a blessed union of 52 years. Joe passed away on November 14, 1990. Bridget graduated from Rome Free Academy in 1932 and from Central City Business School of Syracuse, in 1934. She retired from the Rome Public School District in 1972 after many years of service as Payroll Clerk. Prior to that, she had been employed for much of her life as Bookkeeper at Rasch's Jewelry and at Lerman's Furniture stores. She was an active member of St. John's and St. Paul's Churches while she lived in Rome. She was also active in the Democratic Party, working at local election polls and as a Committee member for many years. She chaired the RFA Class of 1932 Alumni Committee until she reached her 90s. For many years, she volunteered her afternoons, visiting the sick at Rome Hospital. Her hobbies included reading and tax preparation for relatives and friends. Bridget is survived by a son, Dr. Joseph J. Colella, Jr. and his wife Mena, of Silver Spring, Maryland and a daughter, Barbara A. Pinti, of W. Hartford, Connecticut; eight beloved grandchildren, 19 cherished great-grandchildren and by special nieces and nephews, Otto Panara and Natalie Tamburrino of Rome and Thomas Panara of Arizona. She is also survived by two sisters-in-law, Elizabeth Colella of Virginia and Rosemary Coccia of Glens Falls, together with many other nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. She was predeceased by three sisters, Amelia Wyman, Rose Panara and Mary Cilente, two brothers, James Stewart and Anthony Stewart, a great grandchild, Dana Hutchinson, and several brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. John the Baptist Church on Friday, October 9, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. Interment will be in St. John's Cemetery. Relatives and friends may call at Nicholas J. Bush Funeral Home, Inc., 218 W. Court St., on Thursday from 4-8 p.m. The family requests that flowers be omitted.