Ruth Frances ORLANDO

ORLANDO, Ruth Frances (Smizer) Ruth Frances (Smizer) Orlando 87, of New Britain passed peacefully on September 18, 2010 at the Hospital of Central Ct due to advanced heart failure. Born on December 3, 1922 in New Britain to Frances (Bergeron) and John Smizer of French Canadian and German ancestry. Known to her friends as "Ruthie" and to all as a strong resilient survivor; having overcome many adversities beginning at an early age. Her strength can be observed in each of her eight children. She was particularly close to her lifelong friend, Eleanor Nolan and to her cousin Dorothy "Dottie" Stifel. She is survived by her beloved children with their spouses, Patricia Orlando; Judith and Daniel Mahan; Susan Goodrich; Debra Orlando, Marcia Horsey; Mark Orlando; Linda and Mark Elliot. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Michael and Daniel Morris; Tara Gay and Mark Mahan; Tonya Ziegler, Shane, Kyla, Blake, Quint, Dawn and Joseph Pospisil; Jessica Horsey; Bravo and Brianna Orlando. She leaves many great-grandchildren as well as nieces, nephews and cousins and a sister in law Connie Smizer of Southington. She was predeceased by her parents, brothers, John and Raymond Smizer and her sister Jean Cozzolongo; as well as her daughter Catherine Orlando, and former husband Leonard M. Orlando. Ruthie's family wishes to thank the following caregivers; Janina Kawa, staff of N4 and N5 at the NBGH and Palliative Care at NBH. Funeral Services will be on Wednesday (September, 22, 2010) at 11 a.m. at St. Jerome Church, 1010 Slater Rd. New Britain. Burial will follow at St. Mary's Cemetery. New Britain Memorial and Donald D. Sagarino Funeral Home is serving the family. There will be no calling hours. To share a memory with the family, view tributes or obtain directions, please go to www.newbritainsagarino.com