Marie R. Secola

Marie R. Secola (Pupello) of Hamden, passed away on September 5th, 2015 at the age of 82. She was the beloved wife of Carl A. Secola, Sr., to whom she was married for 55 years. Born and raised in Manhattan, Marie was the daughter of the late Alphonse J. Pupello and Tina Mortellaro. Marie attended Cathedral High School and graduated summa cum laude from the College of Mount Saint Vincent (1954) with a degree in Biochemistry. She enjoyed a successful career as a chemist for Eastman Kodak Labs in Manhattan. While touring Italy in 1958, she met and fell in love with a fellow American tourist, Carl, of Waterbury, CT. They were married in St. Patrick’s Cathedral on September 26th, 1959, and later settled in Hamden, where they built a home, raised their family, and have resided since. Marie was a founding member of the Church of the Ascension, where she served as a former president of the Legion of Mary, a former president of the Parish Council, a teacher of Religious Education, and also created many of the church’s liturgical banners. For many years, she served the parish as a Eucharistic Minister and volunteered bringing Communion to patients at both St. Raphael’s and Yale New Haven hospitals. Marie was a recipient of the St. Joseph’s Medal of Appreciation from the Archdiocese of Hartford. While raising her three children, Marie began her second career as a teacher in the Adult Education program in New Haven. She then developed the curriculum and taught a course in tailoring at Hillhouse High School, where she shared her skills as a talented seamstress and tailor. She went on to teach chemistry, biology, and physics at Wilcox Tech in Meriden until retiring from the State of CT in 1992. She spent the rest of her life enjoying her seven grandchildren and traveling the world with her husband. Marie was an accomplished cook and baker; her pies and tomato sauce were legendary amongst her friends and loved ones. She enjoyed rooting for her beloved Yankees and the UCONN Women’s Basketball team, passions she often shared with her grandchildren. She is survived by her loving children: Carl A. Secola, Jr. (Linda) of Hamden; Christine Ricciardi (Carmine) of Watchung, NJ; and Tina Buonasora (John) of North Haven, and her cherished grandchildren: Carl III and Caroline Secola; Michael and Emilie Ricciardi; and Julie, Lauren, and Rachel Buonasora. She also leaves behind her two brothers: Anthony (Eileen) Pupello of Greensboro, NC; and Francis (Gail) Pupello of Hamden, CT, and many beloved nieces and nephews. Funeral procession will leave Sisk Brothers Funeral Home, 3105 Whitney Ave., Hamden, Saturday morning at 9:30 for The Church of The Ascension, 1050 Dunbar Hill Rd, Hamden where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00. Burial will follow in All Saints Cemetery. Calling hours at the Funeral Home will be Friday from 4 - 8 pm. In lieu of flowers,donations in Marie's memory may be made to the Archbishop's Annual Appeal, P.O.Box 28, Hartford, CT 06141. (www.archdioceseofhartford.org) www.siskbrothers.com

Marie R. Secola

September 26, 1932 - September 5, 2015