Obituary of Carole A. Vitello

Carole A. Vitello January 16, 1942 - April 26, 2023

Carole A. Vitello of Fairfield, CT gained her angel wings on April 26, 2023. Those who were Blessed to be touched by her light are grateful for the imprint she left on our hearts.

Carole was talented in many aspects of her life. She was a paralegal, a voracious reader and a genius with words and writing. In fact, her professor at the University of Bridgeport once remarked, "(Your essay) is perfect. There is nothing I can teach you". To Carole, life was meant to be celebrated. The holidays, even the small, random ones, were occasions for surprise and delight, and for creating moments of fun and festivity with her beloved family and friends.

If Carole wasn't hosting a party, she was the first to RSVP to one, bringing the fun with an incomparable sense of humor. She lived her life in service to others. Whether you were in her inner circle or a stranger at a grocery store, you felt her positively loving spirit through random acts of kindness and generosity. A talented baker, she was "famous" for creating her mother's hot milk cake recipe and her family's favorite Christmas cookies. Carole was "The Cool Grandma" who would wake up her granddaughters, Audrey and Mia, at 2am to hit the malls for Black Friday shopping. She loved gardening, dancing, biking and eating, especially vegetables. In her later years, she took up golf, which became a source of passion and frustration. Most importantly, Carole was an amazing mother and grandmother. She was her children's and grandchildren's biggest cheerleader, most vociferous fan and enthusiastic supporter— a constant presence at countless sporting events, dance recitals and plays—because to Carole, family was everything.

Carole is predeceased by her mother, Pearl Barkoski Bronko, father Roman Bronko, her loving husband, Lee Vitello, and her companion of many years, Steven P. Bagdasarian. Survived by her children, Melissa Vitello Squeo (Fred Squeo), Craig Vitello (Lauren Isaacs Vitello), and Sharon Bagdasarian Palisi (Joseph Palisi). Her grandchildren, Audrey and Mia Squeo, and Isabella and Valentina Palisi, were her life. Carole also leaves behind three siblings, Ron Bronko, Nancy Duffy (Patrick Duffy), and Michael Bronko (Eileen Bronko), her oldest and dearest friend, Carole Forest Fekete, as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

A celebration of life will take place on Monday, May 8, 2023 at 10 a.m. at Greenfield Hill Congregational Church, 1045 Old Academy Rd, Fairfield. The family asks that guests attending dress in springtime colors. Interment will follow in Mountain Grove Cemetery – Easton, Harvester Rd, Easton.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Rabbi Markley's Discretionary Fund at Temple Beth Shalom, 670 Highland Ave, Needham, MA 02494 with a note in honor of Carole Vitello.