Obituary: Maria M. Colucci, 79, of Stratford

STRATFORD, CT - (From Dennis & D'Arcy Funeral Home) Maria M. Colucci, age 79 of Stratford, passed peacefully on Tuesday, August 31, 2021, with her loving family by her side.

Maria’s life was defined by her love of family and her abundant generosity of spirit.

Maria was born in Rodigarganico, Italy, to the late Nicoletta and Giovanni Bufis and grew up in Alanno, Italy.

She came to America in 1959 upon her marriage to Gabriel Colucci. Maria lived in Bridgeport until she moved to Stratford, where she lived for the next 46 years.

Maria graduated from cosmetology school and worked for several years as a hairdresser. She became a full-time employee of Sikorsky Aircraft in 1979.

While at Sikorsky, because of expertise in her work, she traveled to several domestic naval bases. Maria had a tireless work ethic and a wonderful sense of humor.

She was also an incredible cook and gardener and had a great love for travel. But most of all, Maria’s passion was her family and friends.

She was known by many names throughout her life: Maria, Mary, Mom, Grandma, Lazi, Zia Maria, Zia Happy and Zia Cookie – all of which exemplified the love people had for her.

Maria was happiest in her home in Stratford with the grandkids running around and serving a meal which always began with pasta and her incredible tomato sauce.

But she was also fiercely independent and drove her little Versa to wherever she saw fit to go. She enjoyed shopping for bargains, having breakfast with friends, and of course, trips to the casino.

Maria is survived by her children, Palma Quagliata and husband Carmen, Joseph Colucci and wife Kim, Rita Colucci and husband Ed O’Connell, and John Colucci and wife Cheryl; grandchildren Tino Quagliata, Gabriel Quagliata, Jessica Williston and husband Josh, Abbigail Colucci, Isabella O’Connell, John O’Connell, Grace O’Connell, Nicoletta Colucci and Andrew Colucci; great-grandchildren Lucia Colucci, Sophia Williston and Frankie Williston; nephew Joseph Odoardi and wife Kathy, nieces’ Antoinette Odoardi and Elisa Odoardi; and family living in Italy including siblings Vincenzo Bufis, Guiseppi Bufis, Amelia Bufis, Michele Bufis, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Maria was predeceased by her long-time partner Vittorio Monaco, and siblings Antonio Bufis, Lucia Bufis, sister-in-law Lucy Odoardi and brother-in -law Vincent Odoardi. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to https://www.healthwellfoundation.org/donate/, a foundation which helps pay for very expensive medications for terminal illnesses.

Visiting hours will be held on Thursday Sept 2, 2021 from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the Dennis & D'Arcy - Abriola & Kelemen Funeral Home, 2611 Main St. Stratford.

Friends and relatives are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial on Friday Sept. 3, 2021 at 10:30 a.m. in St. Mark's Church, 500 Wigwam Lane. Stratford.

Entombment will follow in St. Michael's Garden Mausoleum.