Pearl M. Ricci

MERIDEN - Pearl M. Ricci, 95, wife of the late Michael A. Ricci, died on Thursday, June 29, 2017 at The Bradley Home in Meriden. Born in Clifton, Maine on April 25, 1922, she was the daughter of the late Benjamin and Nellie McLaughlin. She graduated high school in Maine, coming to Connecticut shortly after to be employed by Ponds in Clinton and later by New Departure. Pearl resided in Meriden for most of her life and was a parishioner or Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church. She loved to sew, cook, and bake. She especially loved sharing her phenomenal cookies with everyone. Hand-sewn baby blankets were one of her special gifts to grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Pearl will be remembered for her feistiness and love for parties and family gatherings. She enjoyed music and dancing. She was the gold medalist of the bean bag toss game well into her 80's. Pearl especially loved going to Sans Souci Restaurant on Friday nights to listen to John Valerio sing and play piano.

She is survived by her three daughters, Diane Lydia, of Arizona, Linda Falis and her husband, Michael, of Meriden, and Kimberly Bauer and her husband, Roger, of Milford; her son, Thomas Ricci, of Beverly Hills, Fla.; her 14 grandchildren, Shawn, Shane, Richard, John, Johneen, Tanya, Brent, Ashley, Brooke, Alexandra, Todd, Christopher, Heidi, and Michelle; many great-grandchildren and; her brother, Clyde McLaughlin, of Arizona. Pearl was predeceased by her grandson, Ryan M. Falis; her sister, Ruth; and brother, James McLaughlin.

Family and friends are invited to a Mass of Christian burial Thursday, July 6 at 11 a.m. at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, 109 Goodwill Ave., Meriden. Burial will be in Sacred Heart Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to The Bradley Home, 320 Colony St., Meriden, CT 06451. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the John J. Ferry & Sons Funeral Home, 88 E. Main St., Meriden. For online condolences, please visit jferryfh.com.