Obituary of Viola J. Spinelli

Viola J. "Vi" Spinelli, died at the age of 90, on Monday, August 15, 2016 at home after a brief illness. Born on June 6, 1926, she was a resident of Milford and the daughter of late Domenick and Gertrude Finaldi Spinelli and the sister of the late Dr. Nicholas P.R. Spinelli. She was born in Stratford, CT where she received her elementary and secondary education. After earning a Bachelor's Degree from Smith College in Northampton, MA in 1947, she became a Research Associate at Yale University School of Medicine in the Department of Bacteriology and Immunology. In 1950, she became a Registered Medical Technologist and for a number of years managed the medical offices and laboratory of Drs. Spinelli and Licciardello. She earned a Master's Degree in Health Care Management from The Yale School of Epidemiology and Public Health in 1965. Soon thereafter, she joined the staff of the New England Medical Center, NEMC, in Boston where she assumed the responsibility for Operation of the Clinics of the Boston Dispensary and Boston Floating Hospital. During her tenure in Boston, New England Medical Center joined Tufts University and she assumed responsibility for the Management of the Rehabilitation Institute and became the Acting Director of the Tufts Department of Community Medicine. In 1977, she returned to CT as Associate Director of Bridgeport Hospital rising to Senior Vice President, Chief Operating Officer. After a distinguished career as a hospital administrator, she retired in 1988, and became a Consultant in Healthcare Management with Health Strategy Association of Massachusetts. Among her many contributions to her community, she served on the Board of Directors of the Stratford Visiting Nurse Association, the Southern Connecticut Area Agency on Aging, and 3030 Park; one of the country's first continuing care centers. She is also survived by many loving cousins and dear friends. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, August 19, 2016 at 9:00 am at St. Ann Church, 501 Naugatuck Avenue, Milford. Entombment will follow in St. Michael Cemetery, 2205 Stratford Avenue, Stratford. Family and friends are invited to call on Thursday, August 18, 2016 from 3 to 7 pm in The Abriola Parkview Funeral Home, 419 White Plains Road, Trumbull. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Ann Church for the Spinelli Fund.