Jeanette “Toni” Lanese
Jeanette Marie ( Anthony) Lanese, born June 28, 1927 to Raymond “Chick” and Anna ( Donovan) Anthony in Bridgeport CT, passed through the gates of heaven on Friday, April 2, 2021 greeted by her pre- deceased children, Michael Anthony Lanese and Martha Ann Lanese Cody.
“Toni” is survived by her loving husband of 73 years, Thomas Lanese, children; Margaret Lanese and Fern Black of Fairfield, Katie and Rich Gelsomino of Ellington, TJ and Deborah Lanese of Fairfield, along with 11 grand and 11 great grandchildren. Jeanette is also survived by her sister, Eileen Doherty of Southport.
Family, friends, faith, and the love of the beach were the cornerstones of a wonderful life. “Nana” could always be found with a good book, knitting needles, playing bridge, or at a grandkid’s sporting / school event. Nothing gave her more happiness than her home at 110 Farmington Ave filled with family, friends, and food. A true matriarch who led by example and an occasional stern suggestion, Nana will be missed by all the many lives she has touched.
A Mass of Christian burial will take place on Tuesday, April 13, 2021 at 10: 00 am DIRECTLY in St. Thomas Aquinas Church, 1719 Post Rd., Fairfield, with internment immediately following at St Michael’s Cemetery in Stratford. Please wear a mask and respect social distancing at the services. In lieu of flowers a donation in Jeanette’s memory can be made to Connecticut Hospice, 100 Double Beach Rd., Branford CT 06405. To sign an online guest book or to send private condolences please visit www. parentelauro. com
Dr. Vanessa A. Marshall, age 85, of Trumbull, CT died Wednesday, March 7, 2021 at the West Haven VA Medical Center. Born in Ocean City, NJ, she lived in Trumbull since 1987. She was the only child of the late Gerald and Evelyn Ada ( Jones) Marshall. A career military officer, Vanessa served twenty two years in the U. S. Army Nurse Corps, retiring as a Major. Her service included three years in Japan during the Vietnam conflict and later two years in Germany. A life- long scholar, she earned a total of five academic degrees from Cornell, Yale and Harvard, including a Doctor of Science from the Harvard School of Public Health. After her military career, she went on to become a professor of nurse- midwifery at Yale, and then Director of the Graduate Program in Nurse- Midwifery at the University of Rhode Island. Upon retiring from academia, she returned to school to earn a Fine Arts degree from Housatonic Community College. An adventurous world traveler, she explored the globe from Antarctica to Uzbekistan. She was a Life Member of the American Legion Post 143 in Fairfield, where she served as Finance Officer, Newsletter Editor and Post Service Officer. A burial with full military honors will be held at Arlington National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Americares, 88 Hamilton Avenue, Stamford, CT 06906. For information or to offer an online condolence please visit www. SpearFuneralHome. com