Obituary of Amelia Pirrello

Amelia Mastri Pirrello, age 95, entered into eternal rest on Wednesday, May 16, 2012. Born in Faeto, Province of Foggia, Italy, she was a Bridgeport resident for 89 years. Amelia Mary was the daughter of the late Giovanni and Clotilda Maglio Mastri and pre-deceased by her brothers, Leonard and Earl Mastri and sisters, Theresa Giannetta and Mary Moretti. Amelia was the loving wife of her late husband Joseph Pirrello Sr. and beloved mother to her pre-deceased son Joseph Pirrello Jr. Survivors include her sons, Charles V. Pirrello of Raleigh, NC, John A. Pirrello and his wife Diane of Stratford, and daughter, Claudia M. Peterson and her husband Paul of Stratford. Amelia cherished being a Mom and loved every moment being with family and friends. A devoted Catholic, her faith was the key to her positive influence and outlook on life. She worked several jobs before her marriage including working at a shirt factory, Chance Voight, as a draftsperson for Sikorsky Aircraft in Bridgeport, Singer Sewing Machine teacher and a substitute teacher in the Bridgeport School System. Her favorite job of all was being a wife and mother. During those years, she was very active as the PTA President at Nathan Hale School, was a den mother for Cub Scouts and a Girl Scout Leader. Amelia was a volunteer for the Republican Party in the 1970s, was a member of the Italian Community Center in Bridgeport. She taught CCD School at St. Margarets Shrine and has been a parishioner there for 58 years. At age 63, she attended Sacred Heart University and received her Associates degree in 1984, making her the oldest alumni at SHU. From there she worked several years as a volunteer at the Mercy Learning Center. She also taught CCD School at St. Theresas Church up until she was 80 years old. Her greatest love and passion was her grandchildren: they were her most valuable treasures. She leaves behind, Lea Gerbino of Hazelton, PA, David, Nicole, April, Christopher, Justin, Jennifer and Samantha Pirrello, Eric, Christine and Michael Peterson, and three great-grandchildren, T.J., Zackery and Lily. Funeral Information Funeral services will take place on Monday, May 21, 2012 at 9:00 a.m. in the Abriola Parkview Funeral Home, 419 White Plains Road, Trumbull, and at 10:00 a.m. in St. Margarets Shrine, Bridgeport for a Mass of Christian Burial. Entombment will follow in the Garden Mausoleum of St. Michael Cemetery, Stratford. Relatives and friends may call on Sunday from 2-6 p.m. Donations Information In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the St. Margarets Shrine, 2539 Park Ave., Bridgeport, CT 06604, The Mercy Learning Center, 637 Park Avenue, Bridgeport, CT 06604 or the American Diabetes Association, 2080 Silas Deane Highway, 2nd Floor, Rocky Hill, CT 06067.