Helen Watson Boldi

BOLDI, Helen Watson Helen Watson Boldi, 89, of East Hartford, died on Tuesday (October 27, 2009) after a period of declining health. Born on July 11, 1920 to John Blair and Minnie Reid Watson, Helen spent her childhood years in Hartford. She was a gifted student and a graduate of Hartford Public High School, Class of 1936B and Colby College, Class of 1944. While working at what was then Phoenix Mutual, Helen met the dashing U.S. Army veteran, Louis E. Boldi. Helen and Lou were married in 1951 and raised their two children in East Hartford. They shared 45 years of marriage until Lou's passing in 1996. Helen held a number of rewarding positions during her career, but her favorite years were spent at the University of Connecticut Health Center, where she worked from 1973 until her retirement in 1989. While at UCHC she was the Syllabus Coordinator for the medical and dental schools and volunteered as a "cuddler" in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at John Dempsey Hospital. Helen's talents were many and included knitting, needlepoint and crewelwork. She loved to travel, was a voracious reader, an avid movie-goer and the first to try a new restaurant. Helen was proud of her Scottish heritage and was a member of the Daughters of Scotia for many years. She was a bright, engaging and generous woman, a friend to many and dearly loved by her family. Helen is survived by her son, Martin John Boldi and his wife Elaine of Stafford Springs; and her daughter, Corinna Boldi Tamburini and her husband Paul of Kensington. She also leaves behind five grandchildren, Marcie, Corinna and Kyle Boldi, Fiona and Ian Tamburini, and a great-granddaughter, Emma Ann Boldi. Along with her husband and parents, she was predeceased by two brothers, John Blair Watson, Jr. and James Reid Watson; and one sister, Mary (May) Watson. Family and friends may gather on Friday, Oct. 30 from 4-7 p.m. at the D'Esopo- East Hartford Memorial Chapel, 30 Carter Street, East Hartford. Please join the family to honor and celebrate Helen's life at a service to be held on Saturday, Nov. 14 at 11 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 136 Capitol Avenue, Hartford. Private burial will be at Cedar Hill Cemetery (Section 31), Hartford. Memorial donations may be made to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit – Cuddlers Program, c/o The University of Connecticut Foundation, Inc., 10 Talcott Notch Road, Suite 100, Farmington, CT 06032. For any on-line expressions of sympathy to the family please visit www.desopo.com.