Obituary of Denise Bartelson

Denise Lena (DiVita) Bartelson age 69, of Stratford, CT, passed away peacefully at Yale New Haven Hospital on Wednesday, November 23, 2022 surrounded by loved ones.

Denise was born on October 16, 1953, in Bridgeport to the late Celestino "Dino" DiVita and Josephine "Pene" Recupero DiVita. She attended St. Augustine Academy in Bridgeport before attending Bunnell High School and then Sacred Heart University in Fairfield where she was in the sorority Gamma Phi Delta. Denise married Alan Bartelson on July 2, 1977.

Denise was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin, friend, and teacher who believed deeply in community and most enjoyed bringing her big family and close friends together. She was a strong and compassionate woman, and a deep listener with a true caring for those around her. She had a lasting impact on those who knew her, was a selfless giver, and her love was evident in all that she did.

She was also known as Miss Denise to many students throughout her teaching career over the past 40 years. She began her career at St. Michael's in Bridgeport and then became a pre-school teacher at Apple Tree Nursery School in Trumbull before creating her own pre-school program at Our Lady of Grace Parish in Stratford. She became the Faith Formation Director at Our Lady of Grace where she devoted much of her time to supporting young people's journey into the Catholic faith and building community throughout the congregation. She was a much beloved teacher and colleague.

Denise was predeceased by her loving son-in-law, Richard Desmond, and her spirit will be carried on by her loving husband, Alan Bartelson of Stratford, her devoted children, Erica Mitchell and son-in-law Reese Mitchell of Stratford, Ashley Bartelson of Greensburg, PA, and Scott Bartelson and son-in-law Patrick Bartelson of New Haven. She is also survived by two adoring granddaughters, Lena Reese & Rosa Lynn Mitchell, a loyal brother, Robert DiVita and sister-in-law Lynne DiVita of Shelton, as well as a loving nephew Joseph Divita and wife Ciara DiVita of Ossining, NY and niece, Alaina DiVita of Shelton. She leaves behind loving relatives in Colleferro, Italy, and many who adored their cousin "Dee Dee."

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, December 1, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. directly in Our Lady of Grace Church, 497 Second Hill Lane, Stratford. Interment will follow in St. John's Cemetery, Stratford. Relatives and friends can greet the family on Wednesday from 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. at the Abriola Parkview Funeral Home, 419 White Plains Rd., Trumbull.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made through the family for a future fund to remember Denise at Our Lady of Grace Parish.