Obituary of Gloria Melli

Devoted Wife, Mother and Grandmother Gloria Stolfi Melli, age 79, of Stratford, the devoted wife of Michael E. Melli Sr., died peacefully on May 3, 2011 at St. Vincents Medical Center after a long and courageous battle with cancer, with her loving family by her side. Born in Brooklyn, New York, on November 26, 1931, she was a daughter of the late Agusto Stolfi and Helen Franzo Stolfi Neri. Gloria was retired from the Town of Stratford Public School System as a Lunch Services Supervisor with 17 years of service. A devoted parishioner of St. Mark Church, she was a member of the Ladies Guild and volunteered many hours in the Adoration Chapel. Gloria enjoyed traveling with her husband and family, especially to their favorite vacation spot, Aruba, and loved going to the casino. Above all, she enjoyed her time with her family, neighbors and friends. She was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother who will be deeply missed. In addition to her parents she was predeceased by her Stepfather, Anthony Neri, her Uncle Sal, Aunt Carol, Mother in-law Julia, Father in-law Raffaele, Brother in-law Ralph, Sister in-laws; Josephine & Ida, Niece Judy, and most lovingly her grandparents; Francesco and Francesca Franzo, who played an instrumental role in her life. In addition to Michael, her devoted husband of 59 years, survivors include three loving children, Michael E. Melli, Jr. and his wife Ann of Trumbull, Karen Ferraro and her husband Al, Jr. and Lisa DiNardo and her husband Peter, all of Stratford, six cherished grandsons, Michael E. III and Christopher Melli, Albert III and Anthony Ferraro, and Matthew and Philip DiNardo; a brother, Anthony S. Neri of Newtown, a sister, Rosanne Neri of Stratford as well as several nieces and nephews, most affectionately Jon and Anne Mercurio of Stratford. The Melli family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the Rev. Donald Guglielmi, Pastor of St. Mark Church, Stratford for his spiritual guidance and friendship throughout Gloria's illness. Funeral Information Friends and family are invited to meet directly in St. Mark Church, 500 Wigwam Lane, Stratford on Friday, May 6, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. for a Mass of Christian Burial. Entombment will follow in Oaklawn Cemetery, Fairfield. There will be no calling hours. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Mark Church, 500 Wigwam Lane, Stratford, CT 06614.