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09/14/2012 01:00 PMRita “Murph” (Murphy) Caldarella, 94, of Old Saybrook, formerly of West Hartford, died on Sept. 8. She was the beloved wife of the late James J. Caldarella. Rita was born in Elmwood, daughter of the late James Joseph and Agnes (Callahan) Murphy. She had lived in West Hartford for most of her life, and in Old Saybrook for the last 20 years. She was loved by all who knew her.
A graduate of Hall High School in West Hartford, Rita attended Bay Path College and worked at the Hartford Insurance Company, the Tax Department of the IRS, and the State of Connecticut Department of Revenue Services. She was a member of St. John’s Church in Old Saybrook.
Rita lived her life fully and graciously with a kind spirit and open heart and mind. She lived independently and loved long drives in the New England countryside and any new adventures. She was also a frequent visitor to La Jolla and enjoyed many trips to the deserts and mountains. In addition, Rita enjoyed time with her family at Chalker and Indian Town beaches in Old Saybrook. Her most cherished times were spent with family and friends, new and old.
Rita’s family thanks the doctors, nurses, and staff of the CCU Unit at the Hospital of St. Raphael, New Haven, for their exceptional skills and loving care.
Rita is survived by her four children, Leo D. “Cal” Caldarella and his wife Marianne (Datoli) of Old Saybrook, Father James J. Caldarella, pastor of Prince of Peace Parish, Princeton, Massachusetts, Ann Kerr Bache and her husband Tom of La Jolla, California, and Mark R. Caldarella and his wife Kate of Orwigsburg, Pennsylvania, and Old Saybrook. She is also survived by four grandchildren, Dr. David Caldarella and his wife Nora Caldarella, RN of La Crosse, Wisconsin, Attorney Laurie Deneen and her husband Attorney Kevin Deneen of Windsor, Kristen Caldarella, and David Bache; seven great-grandchildren, Bryan, Matthew and Aidan Deneen, and Leo, Jac, AJ, and Sean Caldarella; and three step-grandchildren, Kristi Markowicz and her husband Cmdr. John Markowicz, USN and their children, Johnny, Jimmy, Joey, and Janie Markowicz, Tom Bache, Jr., and Stephanie Bache. In addition, she is survived by two sisters, Sr. Agnes Murphy, CSJ and Sophie Johnson, both of New Britain. She was pre-deceased by two brothers, Richard and James Murphy, and two sisters, Mary Lajoie and Jane Dunion.
A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, Sept. 12 at 10:30 a.m., at St. John’s Church, 161 Main St., Old Saybrook, with her son, Father James Caldarella, as the main celebrant. There are no calling hours. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The Retirement Fund of Sisters of St. Joseph, 27 Park Rd., West Hartford, CT 06119. The Sheehan-Hilborn-Breen Funeral Home, 1084 New Britain Ave., West Hartford, is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be made at www.sheehanhilbornbreen.com.