Mabel (Gioia) Woolley

Mabel Gioia Woolley left us on July 10, just days after her 105th birthday, in her home of 77 years at 34 Maple Hollow Road in Bakerville (New Hartford), Connecticut.

She was married to her sweetheart John F Woolley on October 6, 1934, at Trinity Episcopal Church in Torrington. They were married for 59 years until his passing in 1993. Mabel was a daughter of Antonio and Lucia (Delulio) Gioia, was born on Ricciardone Ave in the house her father built, attended Riverside School, and graduated from Torrington High School in the Class of 1932.

She and John bought their home on Maple Hollow and moved in during Labor Day weekend, 1941, with the help of a large and wonderful family, just months before Pearl Harbor.

Mabel was many things; kind, generous, supportive, witty, a voracious reader and formidable player of “Jeopardy” and also “Wheel of Fortune”, and an insightful and tolerant observer of human nature.

Her family was most important. She was the greatest fan of “all her kids”, and was the perfect loving grandmother and great grandmother. Mabel was known by family, friends, and neighbors for her tea parties in the dining room, “holding court” in her favorite chair with her back to the fireplace, enjoying both joyful and thoughtful conversation; and there was always “room for one more”.

Always engaged in civic life, she was at various times Secretary of the Bakerville School PTA, a member of the New Hartford Republican Town Committee, and a member of the New Hartford Garden Club, as well as being a founding member of the Northwestern Region #7 High School Band Parents, and a founding member of the Friends of the Bakerville Library. Mabel was a devoted member of Trinity Episcopal Church in Torrington for 85 years.  

In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by brothers Nicholas, Carl, Patrick and Anthony Gioia, and by sisters Mary Bebbere, Adeline Connors, Kathryn Bushka and Bertha Beauchemin.

Most sadly, she was predeceased by her beloved son John F. Woolley, Jr.

Mabel leaves to cherish her life and memory her children David G. Woolley (Jeanne) of Harwinton, Mary Florio Pia (Albert) of New Hartford, and Deborah W. Reardon (William) also of New Hartford.

She also leaves her grandchildren Dwight W. Florio, Jr. of New Hartford, Tammy Davis (Ken) of Avon, Kathleen Woolley Johndrow (Desiree) of West Hartford, and Patrick W. Reardon (Katherine) of Farmington.

Mabel’s greatgrandchildren are Justin Florio and Jake Florio, both of Torrington; Benjamin Davis of Avon; Nate, Norah and Olivia Johndrow, all of West Hartford; James, Grayson, and Noah Reardon, all of Farmington.

She also leaves numerous cherished nieces and nephews and their families.

Arrangements: Friends may call at Cook Funeral Home, 82 Litchfield Street, Torrington, on Tuesday, July 16, 2019, between 4:00 and 7:00 PM.

Funeral service Wednesday, July 17, 2019, 10:00 AM at Trinity Episcopal Church, 220 Prospect Street, Torrington.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Bakerville Library in New Hartford, or to Trinity Episcopal Church in Torrington.  Condolences may be sent to Mabel’s family by visiting www.cookfuneralhomect.com

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