Obituary of Clara M. Zanella

Clara (Claire) Linstrum Zanella, age 86, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, April 15, 2015, with her family by her side. She was predeceased by her husband of 49 years, Vincent M. Zanella Jr., Esquire. Born in Danbury, on January 17, 1929 to the late Raymond and Clara Linstrum, she moved to Bridgeport and later to Fairfield raising five children. She was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother. Claire opened her home to all, especially friends of her children and grandchildren, often adopting them as family. Her Sunday ziti dinners were legendary as well as her hospitality at her annual beach house. Claire led a long, full and happy life surrounded by the family for which she was deeply proud. She is survived by her five devoted children, nine grandchildren, and one great grandchild, Oliver: Susan Tamagni (Joseph) of Orange, and their children Lisa, Christina and Stephen; Vincent III (Sharon) of Fairfield, and their children Tony and Molly; John (Lynann) of Bethel, and their children, Jay and Chris; Jean Dyer (Jeff) of Orange and their children, Anita and Abigail; and Paul (Kelly) of Saratoga Springs, NY. She is also survived by her brothers, Raymond (Dorothy) Linstrum of Danbury, and Karl (Nancy) Linstrum of Willard, OH. She was predeceased by her sister and brother, Emily Rae Huyler and Theodore Linstrum, and her dear friend, Irene Wasco. She is survived by many nieces and nephews and extended family. She was a devoted Catholic and member of Our Lady of the Assumption Church, the former President of the Stratfield Garden Club, and former Real Estate agent. The Zanella Family would like to thank the staff at St. Vincent's Hospital and Vitas Healthcare Hospice Services for their compassionate and loving care and support to Claire and the entire family. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, April 20, 2015 at 10:30 a.m. in Our Lady of the Assumption Church, 545 Stratfield Road, Fairfield. Interment will follow in Oaklawn Cemetery. Family and friends may call at the Abriola Parkview Funeral Home, 419 White Plains Rd., Trumbull on Sunday from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Bridgeport Rescue Mission, P.O. Box 9057, Bridgeport, CT 06601-9057.