Obituary of Grace Zeffiro
Grace Zeffiro, age 83, of Shelton, passed away on Friday, September 10, 2010. She was the daughter of the late Ralph and Margaret DeGruttola. She was born in Bridgeport on February 2, 1927, where she lived for many years before moving to Shelton in 1976.
Grace was a loving and devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. She spent 60 loving, happy years alongside her late husband Gabriel J. Zeffiro. Together they raised two daughters. Later in life, she enjoyed watching and encouraging the growth of her four grandsons. She took great joy in spending time with her family. Her door was always open to visitors, whom she welcomed with her unforgettable Italian home cooking. Her meatballs in particular were unmatched. Aside from her love of cooking, Grace enjoyed watching the Yankees, vacations large and small with her family, trips to the casino, and good conversation. Outside the home, she held positions at General Electric in Bridgeport and United Aircraft SS Norden Site in Norwalk. For her generation, Grace exemplified a woman of outspoken strength.
Grace is survived by two beloved daughters, Sandra Novack and her husband Richard and Marilyn Butanowicz and her husband Peter, her three beloved grandsons, Richard Novack Jr. and his wife Jessica, Mark Novack and Ryan Butanowicz and his wife Jessica and she was pre-deceased by her beloved grandson Peter Gabriel Butanowicz. In addition, she is survived by her sister, Josephine Pirozzoli and her brother, Ralph DeGruttola Jr.. She was predeceased by her brother, Nicholas DeGruttola and a sister, Martha DeMartino. Grace also leaves behind several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will take place on Tuesday, September 14, 2010 at 9:30 a.m. from the Abriola Parkview Funeral Home, 419 White Plains Road, Trumbull and at 10:00 a.m. in St. Lawrence Church, Shelton for a Mass of Christian Burial. Interment will follow in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Trumbull. Friends may the greet the family on Tuesday morning from 8:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Peter Butanowicz Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o Joseph A. Foran High School, 80 Foran Road, Milford, CT 06460, where an award is given annually.