Rita Jacobelli

Rita Jacobelli
Rita Anna (Smith) Jacobelli, age 88, died peacefully with her beloved and devoted spouse of 63 years, Nicola James Jacobelli, by her side.
Rita was the oldest daughter of Frank and Sophie (Tomish) Smith. Born in Bridgeport, she spent most of her life in Bridgeport and then in Stratford, raising her sons David and Robert Jacobelli, and daughter Jane Jacobelli Fedor.
After suffering a stroke in 2018 that led to many other health complications, she and Nicola moved in with her daughter, Jane, son-in-law George, and granddaughter Marie in Fiskdale, MA, so that they could assist Nicola in caring for her.
Family was everything. Nothing was more precious to her than her husband, children, grandchildren, and most recently, her first great-granddaughter. She considered them her greatest riches and blessings.
Rita was one of six children born to Frank and Sophie. She had one sister, Shirley, and four brothers, James, Robert, William, and Michael. Maybe they didn't see each other as often as they would have liked, but she loved them all and would always be there for them, as they were for her.
She was predeceased by her brother, James; and his wife, Marie, of Stratford. She is survived by her husband, Nicola James Jacobelli; son and daughter-in-law, David and Melissa Jacobelli of Columbia, MO; daughter and son-in-law, Jane and George Fedor of Fiskdale, MA ; and son Robert Jacobelli of Stratford. She also leaves behind her grandchildren, David Jacobelli Jr. of FL, James and wife, Allison Jacobelli of FL, Marie Fedor of MA, Sarah Jacobelli of MO; and great-granddaughter Ella Jacobelli of FL.
Her surviving siblings and their spouses are: Robert Smith, Shirley Kalakay, Michael and Rosemary Smith, all of Connecticut; and William and Maureen Smith of Rhode Island. She is also survived by four nephews, nine nieces and many great-nephews and nieces as well.
Calling Hours will be on Thursday, May 26th from 4 to 7 PM at Pistey Funeral Home, 2155 Main Street, Stratford.
A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Friday, May 27, 2022 at 10:30 am at Holy Name of Jesus Church, 1950 Barnum Avenue, Stratford. The burial will be at St. Michael's Cemetery, 2205 Stratford Ave., Stratford, immediately following. Family and friends are invited to attend a reception at a location to be announced on Friday. Please visit www.pisteyfuneralhome.com to express condolences online.