Obituaries
Serving Our Community Since 1951
Obituary for Nicolina Manera
Nicolina “Lillian” Manera of Stratford, beloved wife of the late Thomas Manera and cherished mother of Maryann Manera and Nancy Manera, also of Stratford, peacefully entered into eternal life on Saturday, March 29, 2014, at the Bishop Wicke Health Center in Shelton, CT. Born in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, New York, Lillian was a longtime area resident and a loyal parishioner of St. Mark Church in Stratford. She was the fourth of seven children born to the late Joseph and Nancy Calabrese, and was predeceased by her six dearly loved siblings, Charles, Theresa, Michael, Marie, Rose and Sam. Lillian and Thomas were married until his death in November 2008, just weeks before their 56th anniversary. Together they shared a love for life, friends, and family. For many years, they also owned Mar-Nan Sportwear, a clothing design and manufacture company based in Charlotte, N.C. While living in Charlotte, Lillian was an active member of St. Ann Catholic Church where she launched and facilitated the church’s annual Lasagna Dinner - its most popular and successful fund raiser for over a decade - and regularly volunteered in multiple capacities including children’s catechist and church council secretary. Lillian was a creative woman with many interests, and saw beauty in even the smallest of things – from snowflakes and butterflies to a great cup of coffee, everything was appreciated. An avid baseball fan, she also loved books, music and especially the theatre, and was a lifelong supporter of the arts. Along with running a business, she was a talented cook and welcoming hostess, with a gift for making everyone who entered her home feel special. And like Thomas, she was always ready to travel; the couple enjoyed many adventures abroad. In her later years, Lillian remained sharp, witty and gracious, but above all, she will be remembered for her kind and compassionate spirit that was a true reflection of her strong Catholic faith. As one friend said when he learned she had passed, “We all adored her, and thrived in her light.” Survivors include her daughters Maryann Manera and Nancy Manera, beloved brothers/sisters-in-law, and many dearly held nieces, nephews and godchildren. Friends are invited to attend a Memorial Mass of Christian Burial on Saturday, April 26, 2014 at 11 a.m. at St. Mark Church, 500 Wigwam Lane in Stratford. If desired, donations in Lillian’s memory can be made to Guiding Eyes for the Blind, 611 Granite Springs Road, Yorktown Heights, New York, 10598, a charity especially close to her heart. The family would also like to extend their thanks to the nurses, aides and staff at the Bishop Wicke Health Center, Bridgeport Hospital, and Griffin Hospital for the gentle care and attention shown to Lillian over the last few months. The William R. McDonald Funeral Home in Stratford has been entrusted with arrangements. For more information, or to make an online condolence, please visit www.wrmcdonaldfuneralhome.com.
Service:
* 11:00 a.m. Saint Mark Church 500 Wigwam Lane Stratford, CT 06615
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Service:
* 11:00 a.m. Saint Mark Church 500 Wigwam Lane Stratford, CT 06615
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