Obituary: Marie C. Sabellico, 93, of Wallingford

WALLINGFORD, CT - (From Wallingford Funeral Home) Marie C. Sabellico, 93, of North Street, Wallingford, wife of the late Tony Sabellico, died peacefully on June 11, 2021 at MidState Medical Center.

Marie is the beloved mother of her three daughters, Toni Rose (Fred) of Meriden, Barbara Sabellico of Meriden, and Lucy Blake (Kip) of New Hampshire; grandmother to Jeff Simeone, Kelly Bell, Stacie Siano, Amy Fretts, Katie Schettini, Stephen Poggio, Todd Larese and Taylor Larese; and great-grandmother to Giada, Emily, Carmine, Ellie, Logan, Tanner, Tessa, William, Leo, and Arianna.

She is predeceased by her brothers and sisters: Ed Johns, Catherine “Sis” Franco, Bernie Johns, Thelma Johns, Julie Johns, Fred Johns, Anna May Wark, Helen Altieri, Harvey Johns, Ernie Johns, Gene Johns, Dot O’Sullivan and many nieces and nephews.

Marie was born in New Haven on March 31, 1928, to William “Ed” Johns and Catherine Frank Johns.

She grew up with 12 siblings during the depression era in a family that loved to dance and have fun.

Marie’s beautiful dimpled smile, a Johns family trait, showcased her friendly, easy-going, kind nature. She loved people, had a heart of gold, and in her later years became everyone’s Gram.

She grew up in New Haven and Woodbridge, moved to Wallingford in 1964, and lived in the home her husband built.

The first-person Marie met after moving to Wallingford was Mitzie Riotte, her 92-year-old very best friend. These two girlfriends loved the Yankees.

They often watched the game while talking on the phone to each other. Marie had many jobs besides homemaker and raising kids. Her first job was delivering newspapers when she was a little girl.

As a young teen she worked at Goodyear Rubber sewing duffel bags for the troops of WWII. Later she worked as a baker in the cafeteria at Lyman Hall High School, as a paste up manager at The Wallingford Post, and in housekeeping at Gaylord Hospital.

She is a parishioner of Most Holy Trinity Church.

Marie loved to watch and participate in sports. As a young girl, she played softball, and swam and ice-skated at Pond Lily in New Haven.

She loved to bowl and competed in leagues into her 70s, and played a good game of ping pong. She loved to sew, cook, bake Christmas cookies, go to the casino, do crossword and jigsaw puzzles and watch her stories, game shows, UConn women’s basketball and the New York Yankees on TV.

She loved to jitterbug at weddings and polka and waltz with Tony. Marie enjoyed going to her grandchildren’s sporting events, and her great-grandchildren’s dance and piano recitals.

Although the pandemic made it impossible for many of Marie’s family and friends to be physically close to her, she did remain dear in the hearts of the many who love her.

She was waiting patiently for the day she could see her family and friends again as she managed to live alone at the glorious age of 93. Being forever thankful for the many blessings of her long life, Marie often said, “God has been good to me.”

The family would like to thank all those who lovingly cared for our mother: Maureen and Tashira, who provided home care; the nurses, doctors, and staff at MidState Pavilion E; the Franciscan team; and Mom’s favorite doctors, John M. Dinkler MD, and Shirley Samy, APRN.

Marie’s family will receive relatives and friends in The Wallingford Funeral Home, 809 N. Main St. Ext., on Thursday, June 17 from 9:00 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. when the funeral cortege will proceed to Most Holy Trinity Church where a Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m.

Interment will be in the In Memoriam Cemetery in Wallingford.

Gifts in Marie’s memory may be sent to the American Heart Association, www.heart.org, P.O. Box 417005, Boston, MA 02241.