Mary M Gaeta

Mary M. Gaeta, a former Norwalker, passed away on Friday, May 23, 2008 in Lawrence & Memorial Hospital of New London, Conn. after a brief illness. She was 88. Born in Darien on July 9, 1919, Mary was the daughter of the late Frank and Phyllis (Bianco) Lapolla of New Canaan. She was raised in New Canaan and attended local schools. In 1947, she married the late Antonio Gaeta (1967) and resided in Norwalk. Together, they owned and operated the former Gaeta Travel Agency on West Avenue in Norwalk for many years. In later years, she worked for Robustelli Travel of Stamford. She moved to Gales Ferry, Conn. in 1988. Mary was a member of the Order of Eastern Star (OES), Marie Lafayette #111 Chapter of Fairfield; Order of the Amaranth, Friendship Court 23 of Milford and Order of the White Shrine of Jerusalem, Purity Shrine #1. She is survived by her sisters, Rose Bartholomew of Stamford, Anne D. Pradella of Rome, Italy, Jean Cerbini of Norwalk and Diane P. and her husband, Robert D. Johnson of Mystic and many nieces and nephews. Preceded in death were a brother, Joseph Lapolla and a sister Sarah (Sadie) Scaglia of New Canaan. Mary will be remembered as a loving sister and aunt. Mary's family will receive friends in Norwalk's Hoyt-Cognetta Funeral Home & Crematory, 5 East Wall Street on Tuesday, May 27, 2008 from 12:00PM to 1:00PM. Her funeral will be held in the funeral parlor at the conclusion of calling hours, 1:00PM. The Rev. Paul Sankar will officiate. Interment will follow in Riverside Cemetery's chapel. Contributions in her memory may be made to: Mary Elizabeth Nursing Center, 28 Broadway, Mystic, Conn. 06355.