Obituary: Alma Ricci Venditti, 86, of Groton

GROTON, CT - (From Byles Memorial Home) Alma Theresa Ricci Venditti ,86, of Groton passed into eternal life at home on June 16, 2020 after a long illness. Alma was born on January 7, 1934, the daughter of Guy and Mary DeStefanis Ricci.

Alma graduated from Robert E Fitch Senior High School in 1951, and earned an Associate’s Degree from Mitchell College in 1953. She met her husband, Louis F. Venditti, Sr. while working at Thames Electric.

They celebrated 60 years of marriage on May 14, 2020. Over the years while Alma was raising their 5 children, she worked at the Bridge Drive In, United Fuel, and Caldor Department Store, retiring from Groton Utilities in 1995.

She was a lifelong member of Sacred Heart Church in Groton and served as a lector, a Eucharistic Minister and taught CCD. She was also a member the Small Christian Community and numerous other committees and church groups.

During her retirement years Alma kept busy working at the Groton voting polls as an assistant registrar, and as a part-time bookkeeper for Lora Robarge Feldman, CPA. She was also a Justice of the Peace and performed hundreds of weddings for couples in the area.

Alma loved music, dancing, a good party and travelling. Each year she made trips to visit family all over the country or faraway places around the globe.

She was a season ticket holder at the Granite Theater and loved attending shows with her friends Gayle Corallino, Margaret DeSalvo and Lora Robarge. Alma was a devoted mother and grandmother who loved attending her children’s and grandchildren’s sporting events, chorus and band concerts and theater performances.

Alma is survived by her husband, Louis F Venditti, Sr, and their children Yolanda and her husband Scot Bowes; Louis, Jr. and his wife Kristen; Lisa and her husband Mark Robarge; Marie and her husband David Johnson; and Paul and his wife Katelyn; grandchildren John Pescatello and his wife Ashley; Sean Bowes and his partner Julie Keegan; Gillian Bowes; Louis Venditti III and his fiancé Emily Watts; James Venditti; Kelly Gordon and her husband Lexus; Allison Gardea and her husband Joshua; Ava Johnson; Anthony Johnson; and great- grandsons Jace Venditti and Roman Pescatello; her sister Frances Smith; her brother Donato and his wife Ingrid Ricci; brother-in law Rudolph and his wife Elizabeth Venditti; sister-in-law Mary Venditti and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Donations may be made in Alma’s memory to Sacred Heart Parish, 56 Sacred Heart Drive, Groton, CT 06340. A Private Mass of Christian Burial will be Live Streamed 11:00AM Saturday June 27, 2020. Use ZOOM ID# 88050416908

A Graveside Service will be held for the public approximately 12:00 pm (Noon) Saturday June 27, 2020 at Colonel Ledyard Cemetery. Please obey the appropriate distancing requirements and masks must be worn.