Ida Manzella
Ida B. (Serra) Manzella, 88, loving wife for 67 years of Victor J. Manzella, of Liberty Street, Pawcatuck, passed away Monday, May 16, 2022, after a long, courageous battle with ovarian cancer. Born in
Mystic, she was the daughter of the late Patrick and Abigail (Smith) Serra.
Attending local schools, she graduated from Westerly High School in 1951. Ida graduated as a registered nurse from St. Joseph’s Hospital School of Nursing in 1954. Her career ranged from private duty and staff nursing at the Westerly Hospital to industrial nursing at Harris Graphics and then finally, to a position as school nurse at Ella T. Grasso Technical High School.
As a beach lover, Ida spent many summers as a member of the Seaside Beach Club enjoying sunny days with her children, grandchildren and friends. After retiring from Grasso, Ida enjoyed traveling with her husband and friends and spent several weeks each winter enjoying island life at the Aruba Beach Club.
As a wife, mother and grandmother, she organized many family celebrations of birthdays, anniversaries, graduations and holidays. Her children and grandchildren often traveled from distant points to be a part of these important family gatherings.
She was a communicant of St. Michael Church in Pawcatuck, a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and a former member of the Westerly Garden and Nurses’ Clubs. Her keen interest in genealogy led her to membership in the General Society of Mayflower Descendants after tracing her ancestry to at least one passenger on the Mayflower.
Mrs. Manzella will be dearly missed by her husband, Victor, and their seven children: Kathleen Manzella of Port Chester, N.Y., Victor J. Manzella and wife Kathryn of Pawcatuck, Matthew Manzella and wife Naomi of Silver Spring, Md., Mark Manzella and wife Leslie of Bradford, N.H., Luke Manzella and wife Patricia and John Manzella and wife Carolyn, all of Pawcatuck, and Kevin Manzella of Mystic. She is also survived by 12 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Ida was predeceased by four siblings.
Visiting hours will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, May 20, at Gaffney-Dolan Funeral Home, 59 Spruce St., Westerly. A funeral liturgy will take place at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 21, at St. Michael Church, 60 Liberty St., Pawcatuck. Interment will follow at St. Michael Cemetery, Pawcatuck. There is no procession from the funeral home to the church. For online condolences, please visit www.gaffneydolanfuneralhome.com.