Yolanda Nicotra

Waterford — Yolanda Margaret Nicotra, daughter of Ralph and Carmelina (Cretella) Pirri, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, June 20, 2017, at the home of her daughter and sonin-law, where she resided for the past several months. Her family never left her side as she began her transition to eternal life.

Yolanda was born on Oct. 27, 1923, in Brooklyn, N.Y., the third of five siblings. She graduated from Erasmus Hall High School in NYC. She attended the New York School of Business and upon acquiring enough skills, left to find work and help support her family. She worked as executive assistants in both the garment and business districts of Manhattan and had many diverse and interesting job responsibilities.

She met her husband, Stephen, on a blind date and several months later they married on Nov. 11, 1951. She stayed at home where she raised her three children and maintained the household. Due to job displacement of her husband, they moved to Waterford in the summer of 1965. As her children were now in school, she found employment at the former Bureau of Business Practice where, due to hard work and diligence, she worked her way to the customer service supervisor position. She retired in 1986.

Yolanda and her husband traveled extensively throughout the United States, Canada and Europe. Being of Italian heritage she loved Italy the most, where they visited several times reuniting with extended family. Besides traveling, she was an avid reader and loved music, especially Italian arias. She loved to cook — takeout food was unheard of.

She was devoted to her family, as they were to her. Yolanda was a soft spoken woman, but had great inner strength and always exuded class, dignity and integrity.

Yolanda leaves behind two daughters, Ria Mills and Carlina Brigham and sons-in-law, Jeff Mills and Gary Brigham. She was so proud of her six grandchildren, Gary Brigham, Jennifer Monahan, Stephen Mills, Danielle Thomas, Stefan Nicotra and Alyssa Nicotra. She adored her great-grandchildren, Quinn, Jace, Brody, Isaac, Aaron, Kyra, and Kallie. She is also survived by her sister, Rita Glasheen.

She was predeceased by her husband, Stephen Michael; son, Frank Fortunato; brothers, Frank and Alfred Pirri; and sister, Norma Giambalvo.

Yolanda will be greatly missed. An angel she was; in our hearts forever.

Donations in Yolanda’s memory may be made to the Visiting Nurses of SECT, 403 N Frontage Road, Waterford, CT 06385 or Center for Hospice Care, 227 Dunham St., Norwich, CT 06360, where she received quality and compassionate care.