Mary Theresa Buccelli

1931 - 2026

Mary Theresa Buccelli
January 31, 2026
Mary Theresa Buccelli (née Goodale), longtime resident of Madison, CT, passed away peacefully on January 31, 2026 at The Connecticut Hospice in Branford, surrounded by those who love her, and those who learned about love from her. Born in New Haven, CT, on May 3, 1931, Mary lived a full and joyful life and passed at the remarkable age of 94.
So many people are left to mourn her passing including her children, Sharon Schaffer (Jim) of Guilford, CT, Dianne Dadio of Branford, CT, and Jerry Buccelli Jr. (Danielle) of Essex, CT, her beloved grandchildren Jordan Mary (Ted) of Sacramento, CA, Austin (Annie) of West Hartford, CT, Justine of Fort Collins, CO, Casey (Brianne) of Plano, TX, Matthew of Essex, CT, and her beloved great-grandchild Mackenzie, the sparkling daughter of Austin and Annie. Mary is also survived by her sister, Joan Selmani, as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins, both locally and abroad, including family in Ireland, England, and New Zealand. A multitude of dear friends will also miss her tremendously.
Mary was predeceased by her parents, John Alton Goodale, a longtime resident of Madison, CT, and Helen Marie O'Connell Goodale of Ballydesmond, County Cork, Ireland, by her sister, Rose Long, and by her former spouse, Jerry Buccelli Sr., father of Sharon, Dianne, and Jerry.
Mary was raised in Madison, where she witnessed her father's entrepreneurial success and delighted in her mother's beautiful concertina playing, which brought their Irish heritage vividly to life through music. She graduated from Hand High School (Academy Street) in 1949, sharing her lovely soprano voice in the choir and playing French horn in the band. She formed lifelong friendships with her classmates and attended reunions well into her later years, often noting, with her characteristic humor, how attendance dwindled with time. "That's life," she would say.
A mother extraordinaire, Mary made her home the heart of the family (especially when treasuring her favorite holiday, Christmas) while also finding satisfaction in a fulfilling career in customer service at Unilever in Clinton, CT, formerly Chesebrough-Ponds, where she again made lifelong friends. Truly, wherever Mary went, she knew someone, or soon did. Her children often joked, "Mom, is there anyone you don't know?" Her laughter was freely shared, and her bright blue Irish eyes were always smiling.
Mary was a gifted storyteller, recounting memories of the Hurricane of 1938, World War II, and the growth of Madison. Most precious to her, however, were memories of childhood days spent at East Wharf Beach, where she bicycled with friends during her school years. Even later in life, Mary drove almost daily to the beach, content to watch the waves and seagulls and to savor life's simple pleasures. After her 94th birthday, when driving became difficult, she never abandoned her beloved beaches; her family gladly drove her so she could continue to enjoy her treasured town of Madison.
Oh, how Mary will be missed. We will think of her always, especially when the flowers bloom and nature abounds.
May her gentle soul rest in peace, and may the road rise to meet her.
Friends are invited to visitation hours on Saturday, February 21 from 3:30 – 5:45 p.m. at the Guilford Funeral Home, 115 Church St., Guilford, with a prayer service at 5:45 p.m. Donations in Mary's memory may be made to The Connecticut Hospice, 100 Double Beach Road, Branford, CT 06405; www.hospice.com To share a memory or leave condolences, visit www.guilfordfuneralhome.com