Obituary of Mary P. Melillo

Mary P. Melillo 96 of East Haven passed away peacefully at the Jewish Senior Center in Bridgeport, CT on September 23, 2016. She was born October 22, 1919 in Soso, Mississippi to H. Clinton and Virginia (Ellzey) Powell. Mary is survived by her loving and caring daughter, Lisa Melillo (companion, David Nardella) of Milford, CT, brothers-in-law Raymond Wilson, Cosmo Melillo; sisters-in-law Phyllis Melillo, Mary Quellette and Ontee Willis and a multitude of loving nieces, nephews, cousins, and other family members. She is preceded in death by her parents, husband, Joseph Melillo (1990), son Thomas Melillo (2012) and siblings, Virginia Sue Wilson, Bernard Powell, Lauren Powell and Harold Powell. Mary graduated and received a Bachelor Degree in Education from the University of Southern Mississippi and began her teaching career in Mississippi. During to WWII, she was recruited by the American Red Cross and became an administrative officer assigned to Keesler Air Force Base, Biloxi Mississippi where she met and eventually married Joseph Melillo in 1946. She moved with her husband to East Haven, CT where they both become proud and committed educators for the town and felt a warm welcome by her new family and friends. Mary taught English at East Haven High School until her retirement in 1982 and was proud to accept the honor in the naming of the Joseph Melillo Middle School. During retirement she enjoyed traveling and visiting with family and friends and was an active, involved parent volunteer for Marrakech Inc. Mary was an extremely devoted, caring, mother who taught life lessons in kindness, patience, understanding and responsibility. Always proud of her southern roots, she referred to Mississippi as “back home.” Family will receive friends from 9 AM until the time of service at 11 AM on Wednesday, September 28, 2016 at the Clancy-Palumbo Funeral Home (Clancy Funeral Home), 43 Kirkham Ave., East Haven with burial to follow at East Lawn Cemetery, East Haven.