OLIVIA VELLETRI

OLIVIA M. VELLETRI (Age 96)  
Of Washington, DC died peacefully on March 28, 2018 from complications arising from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Olivia was born in Boston, Massachusetts, the eldest of three daughters born to Paul and Adele Montenigro. She married August Velletri in 1949. They met in Europe while she was touring on holiday, and he was working on his doctorate. Her husband was first posted to Italy as a Foreign Service Officer from 1955 to 1960. Other posts included Athens, Greece and Peshawar, Pakistan. Olivia received a Masters degree in Library Science while posted in Peshawar. She became the first American woman to receive a degree from that university. Olivia returned to Washington, DC in 1974. She became an active member within the St Thomas Apostle parish, where she participated in a weekly bible study club as well as assisting in the production of the parish's weekly bulletin. Olivia's kindness, openness, and sense of humor were well known among her many friends. Her unwavering faith in God and the afterlife were an inspiration to many. Olivia is survived by her son, Paul; her daughter, Claudia; her son-in-law, Steven Florides; and her daughter-in-law, Annie. Friends are invited to attend a Funeral Mass on Monday, April 30, 2018 at 11 a.m. at St. Thomas Apostle Roman Catholic Church, 2665 Woodley Rd., NW, Washington, DC 20008. Donations in memory of Olivia M Velletri may be made to The Little Sisters of the Poor, 4200 Harewood Rd., NE, Washington, DC 20017.