Mrs. Irene (Betelak) Pitaro
Irene B. (Betelak) Pitaro, 81, formerly of Grove Street, Forestville, passed away, Sunday, May 3, 2009, at Subacute Center in Bristol. She was the widow of Anthony Pitaro. She was born in Scranton, Pa., June 7, 1927, the daughter of late Michael and Anna (Wasco) Betelak. She married and moved to Bristol in 1946. As many post WWII brides did, Irene worked at the Ingraham Clock Co. for a number of years while raising her family and at the ripe old age of 40 decided to become a nurse. She graduated as an LPN and worked at the Bristol Hospital, where her compassion and sense of humor were appreciated by the staff and especially the patients. She was a Lector and Eucharistic Minister at St. Anthony Church for many years and when her health failed and she was living in an assisted living home, she still proclaimed the Word of God and helped give communion to those who could not attend church services. She was fiercely proud of her three sons and would often remind them that "I don't care what anyone thinks of me, I made you". We love you "MA". You will be missed; but we know that you are in a better place. She is survived by three sons, Francis and his wife Janet Pitaro of Colorado Spring, Colo., Vincent and his wife, Lovey, Pitaro of Bristol and Stephen and his wife, Marylou, Pitaro of Phoenix, Ariz.; a sister, Dorothy Swannick of Lakewood, N.J.; a sister and brother in-law, Clara and Pat D'Amato of Bristol; two grandchildren, David and his wife, Michelle, Pitaro of Durham, N,C, and Tami Pitaro of Denver, Colo.; three great grandchildren, Jordan, Scott and Anthony Pitaro, all from Durham, N.C.; plus many nieces and nephews. She was pre-deceased by two sisters, Barbara and Marie and two brothers Michael and Marty. Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Wednesday, May 6, 2009, at 11 a.m. at St. Anthony Church. Friends may call at Dunn Funeral Home, 191 West St., Bristol, Wednesday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Burial will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery, Bristol. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Anthony Development Fund, 111 School St., Bristol, CT 06010. www.Dunnfh.com