Ethel M. Ciardelli

MILFORD -- Ethel M. "Tooty" Ciardelli, 86, of 467 Nashua St., died Nov. 8, 2009, at St. Joseph Hospital, Nashua.

She was born in Brewster, N.Y., Sept. 24, 1923, to Martin and Mary (McCready) VonIderstine. She graduated from Milford High School in 1942 and made her home in Milford for more than 75 years.

From 1957 until 1987, she ran the day-to-day operations of the Ciardelli Fuel Company from her kitchen.

She enjoyed cooking, traveling, playing cards, bowling, golfing and was an avid Red Sox fan. She was a very loving and caring person and the most important part of her life was devoted to raising her family and spending time with her grandchildren.

She was a communicant of St. Patrick Church, Milford, and a member of Harley Sanford Post No. 4368, VFW women's auxiliary.

IN HER LIFE: Family members include her husband of 66 years, Ernest L. "Babe" Ciardelli of Milford; three sons and daughters-in-law, Tom and Andrea Ciardelli of Hanover, Mike and Heather Ciardelli of Milford and Jim Ciardelli and Nancy White of Emmett, Idaho; four grandchildren, Matthew Ciardelli and his wife, Elizabeth, Andrew Ciardelli, Anthony Ciardelli and Lillian Ciardelli; and many nieces and nephews.

SERVICES: Calling hours are Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. at Ciardelli Fuel Company Office, 467 Nashua St., Milford. A memorial Mass will be celebrated Monday at 10 a.m. in St. Patrick Church, 34 Amherst St., Milford. Burial will follow in Riverside Cemetery, Milford.

Memorial donations may be made to Share Outreach, Inc., 1 Columbus Avenue, Milford 03055.

Smith & Heald Funeral Home, Milford, is handling arrangements (www.smith-heald.com).