Obituary: Philomena Inglese, 82, of Middlebury

Philomena Nerina (Follo) Inglese, also known as Mana, 82, of 500 Woodside Ave., Middlebury, formerly of 57 MacArthur Drive, Waterbury, died Friday, August 3, 2012, at St. Mary’s Hospital. She was the widow of Joseph F. Inglese.

Inglese was born in Waterbury on January 20, 1930, daughter of the late Luigi and Maria (Lanzetta) Follo. She attended Bishop School and she was a graduate of Webster Grammar School and Wilby High School.

She worked as a nurse’s aide for the Waterbury Health Department at Driggs School and St. Margaret’s School for 23 years, until retiring in 1992. She was also employed by Dr. Samuel Atkins, Dr. E. Pasetto, Dr. Henry Merriman Sr. & Jr.

Inglese later worked with her son at Pasta Heaven of Watertown, where she enjoyed conversing with the customers, making meatballs, pizza penné and Easter pies. She was a devout Catholic and sponsored several children in a variety of countries, including the Philippines.

Inglese was a former communicant of St. Lucy’s Church, St. Thomas Church and Our Lady of Lourdes Church. She was a member of the Children of Mary, Past President of the Holy Rosary Society, a Eucharist Minister, and a member of the church choir. She touched the lives of everyone who knew her with her warmth, her friendliness and her beautiful smile.

Inglese loved spending time with her children, who were the gems and blessings of her life. But most importantly, it was her grandchildren who brought her great joy. She was a major part of their lives, having fun attending all their extra curricular activities. Some of her favorite times were spent at the ocean with her husband Joe and children, especially at their cottage at Milford Beach.

She leaves two daughters, Nerina Carroll and her husband Mark, and Sabrina Josef and her husband Romeo, all of Middlebury, and a son, Alexander Inglese and his wife Patricia of Wolcott, two sisters, Ida Arcaro of Las Vegas, Nevada and Anna Petro of Cupertino, California, six grandchildren, Jonathan Carroll, Tiadora Josef, Marlana Carroll, Anthony Carroll, Alexandra Inglese, and Isabella Inglese. She also leaves three sisters in law, Eleanor Follo, Phyllis Docchio and Lillian Fracassi and several nieces, nephews and cousins. She was predeceased by her brother, Rudolph Follo, and her sister, Josephine "Babe” Small.

The family wishes to give a special "thank you" to Aunt El, Dr. Edmund Caporaso, and the staff at Aurora Senior Living of Bucks Hill for their care and compassion. The family would also like to thank all her friends at Woodside Heights in Middlebury.

Calling Hours: 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday, August 5, at Chase Parkway Memorial/The Albini Family Funeral Home, 430 Chase Parkway, Waterbury.

Funeral: 9 a.m. Monday, August 6, at Chase Parkway Memorial/The Albini Family Funeral Home to for a 10 a.m. mass.

Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery.

Contributions can be made to the Adoption Program at Catholic Charities, Inc. Archdiocese of Hartford, 13 Wolcott St. Waterbury, CT 06702.