Obituary of Esther Melilli

Esther (Rodrigues) Melilli, age 96, a 65-year resident of Trumbull CT passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 25, 2024, at the Upper East Side Nursing Home in Manhattan from complications of Alzeimers Disease. She was the beloved wife of the late Sam C. Melilli. Born in Ludlow, Massachusetts on December 3, 1927, she was the daughter of the late Albino and Bertha Rodrigues.

She was raised in Bridgeport CT, learned to play the violin and tennis. Her mother Bertha owned a grocery store; her father Albino was one of the founding members of the Portuguese Club of Bridgeport. Esther graduated from Columbus Grammar School and Central High School, where she won the Jeanette Mathias Money Award. She worked as the private secretary to the Controller at Sikorsky Executive Offices. She was quick to learn, great with numbers, and attentive to details.

Esther is survived by her son Kenneth J. Melilli JD of Brookings OR, his wife Sandy, and grandson Christopher; and her daughter Lisa E. Melilli DrPH of Brooklyn NY, her partner Ira Haironson, and grand-dog Charles. Esther is survived by one brother, Alan Rodrigues, along with nieces and nephews. Her brothers, Antonio and Manual Rodrigues, and sister Julia predeceased her.

Throughout her life, Esther raised dogs, hanging pictures of them as a way to remember them. She loved music all day long. She and her husband were excellent dancers, known to dance on the patio late into the night.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, June 5, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. in St. Theresa's Church, 5301 Main St., Trumbull. Interment will follow in Mountain Grove Cemetery of Easton. Relatives and friends may greet the family on Tuesday, June 4, 2024, from 4 – 7 p.m. in the in the Abriola Parkview Funeral Home, 419 White Plains Rd., Trumbull.

The family requests donations to the Alzeheimers Association https://act.alz.org/ in memory of Esther. To leave an online condolence please visit www.abriola.com.