Obituary of Gelsomina Silano

Gelsomina Eleanora (Testa) Silano, age 95, of Shelton, passed away peacefully on Thursday, July 30, 2026, in the comfort of her home surrounded by her loving family. Born in Alvignanello, Province of Caserta, Italy, on May 2, 1931, she was the oldest child of the late Vincenzo Testa and Immacolata (Constantino) Testa.

Gelsomina was known for her generous heart and the love she poured into everything she did. As a young woman, she worked alongside her father who was a butcher, providing food throughout their town in Italy. That early experience instilled in her a lifelong love of food, hard work, and caring for others. Later in life, she took great pride in supporting her family, and you could often find her in the kitchen at her son's restaurant, Ralph 'n' Rich's, preparing the homemade recipes that became beloved by so many.

Yet, her greatest and most cherished roles were those of wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. Affectionately known as "Mima," not only to her grandchildren but to family and friends alike, she expressed her love through food and tradition. Whether she was preparing tea and toast, making her pasta Genovese for Sunday dinner, or serving her homemade sponge cake, she made every meal an expression of her love. The memories created around her table will be treasured by her family forever.

She was predeceased by her husband, Peter Silano and sister, Maria (Testa) Galietti.

Survivors include her three loving children, a son, Ralph Silano and his wife Sarah, two daughters, Marie Silano-Szivos and her husband Frank and Lisa Besescheck and her husband Darrin, five cherished grandchildren, Erika Carlson and her husband Ron, Jacqueline Silano, DJ Besescheck and his wife Jenn, Michael Silano and wife Soi, Alexa Henriquez and husband Miguel, her siblings, Antonio, Josephine, Dominic, Albert, Mario, and Ellen and their spouses, along with a sister-in-law, Rosie Feola.

Relatives and friends may greet the family on Monday, August 3, 2026 from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the Abriola Parkview Funeral Home, 419 White Plains Road, Trumbull, CT 06611 with a Mass of Christian Burial to follow at 11:00 a.m. in St. Margaret's Shrine, 2523 Park Ave., Bridgeport. Entombment will take place in Mountain Grove Cemetery, Bridgeport.

If so desired, memorial contributions can be made to the Alzeimher's association: https://www.alz.org/. To leave an online condolence, visit us at www.abriola.com.