Mary Tafuto

February 22, 1920 - May 27, 2022

Mary Tafuto,102, of West Hartford (formerly New Haven) passed away May 27, 2022 at West Hartford Health and Rehabilitation. She was born February 22, 1920 in Ansonia, CT to the late Joseph Palumbo and Anna (Patti) Palumbo. Mary was predeceased by her husband of 56 years, Francis “Frank” Tafuto, her siblings Jean (Palumbo) Olsen and Salvatore “Sam” Palumbo, her daughter Diane (Tafuto) Canter and her nephew Joseph (Lynn) Olsen. Mary is survived by her son Louis Tafuto (Yvonne); 3 grandchildren Jason Hannigan (Mary), Jamie Tafuto (Lauren), and Rachel Canter; 5 great-grandchildren Owen Painter, Jojo Painter, Kalin Canter, Anna Tafuto and Will Tafuto; 2 nephews William Olsen ( Julie) and Robert Olsen (Donna), whom she often referred to as her second son, and their families.

Mary enjoyed a long, happy life dedicated to helping all of her family and friends. She adored her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She diligently cared for her husband Frank through his challenges with Alzheimer’s for many years. Mary was a faithful parishioner at St. Aedan’s Church in Westville for decades. She worked at Southern CT State University for several years after her children were grown. Mary loved cooking for her family and friends and is famous for her asparagus and egg omelets, lasagne and Italian sauce with meatballs, sausage and ribs. She also enjoyed going to the Farm Shop with her sister Jean and their buddies, traveling to the Poconos, several cruises, scratch off lottery tickets and trips to the CT Casinos.

Mary loved the 20 years she lived at Park Ridge Senior Housing on Hard Street in New Haven where she made numerous friends and organized the Trader Joe’s food distribution, the weekly Bingo and Poker games, and trips to the Casino. She and her friends were staunch UCONN Women’s Basketball fans. An avid sports fan, she cheered for the New York Yankees, the Miami Dolphins and anything golf related. For the past 3.5 years Mary resided at West Hartford Health and Rehabilitation (WHHR) where she captured the hearts of staff and residents alike. Mary received excellent care at WHHR and the family is deeply grateful for the tender, loving support of the staff, especially Maria, Pearl, Asha, Lisa, Prince, Melanie, Andrea, Amelia, Mary F., Rick, and Gina.

Mary was a kind, gentle woman, a loving matriarch to her family and everyone who knew her. Services as follows: Calling hours, Thursday, June 23, 2022 from 5-7 pm at Hamden Memorial Funeral Home, 1300 Dixwell Avenue, Hamden, a Celebration of Life on Friday, June 24 at 6 pm at Rockledge Restaurant, 289 S. Main St., West Hartford. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations in Mary’s memory can be made to the Helen and Harry Gray Cancer Center, attn: Department of Philanthropy, 80 Seymour Street, P.O. Box 5037, Hartford, 06102. Condolences may be expressed at Hamdenmemorialfuneralhome.com.