Rose Marie Cornaglia

Biography

Rose Marie Dorsey Cornaglia died, shortly before her 98th birthday, on Friday, February 5, 2010 at The Connecticut Hospice in Branford. She was the devoted wife of the late Basil “Murph” J. Cornaglia.

She was born in Benevento, Italy, March 30, 1912, while her parents, the late Louis and Caroline Marenna Dorsey were visiting family there. Rose worked the night shift at Chandler Evans as a stock-chaser while her husband served in the Armed Forces in Europe. With Basil, she helped establish the Cornaglia Insurance Agency in 1947 and after acquiring her real estate license worked there for many years. She volunteered at the Children’s Center in Hamden and was a mentor to many of the children residing there. Her true passion was cooking for family and friends. She took great pride in the preparation and presentation. Her family enjoyed many memorable dinners with everyone joining in to make each meal a celebration.

She is survived by her three children, Maria Lunt and her husband Donald C. of Wallingford, and Carolyn Farnham of Delray Beach, FL. her son, Carl D. Cornaglia and his wife Lucy of Middle Haddam; her six grandchildren, Stephen Reck, Kyle Farnham, Curtis Farnham, Lauran Barbosa, Carla Warner, and Megan Cornaglia; her seven great grandchildren, Maxwell, Cole, Bryce and Margaux Reck, Emma and Ryan Farnham, and Dylan Warner; her brother and sister-in-law, Romeo and Lucy Dorsey of Wallingford; and several nieces and nephews. A sincere thank you with love to her nephew Joseph Tenczar Jr. who was always there for her. She was predeceased by three sisters, Mildred Tenczar, Florence CoFrancisco and Emma Dorsey; and six brothers, Nicholas, Dominic, Anthony, Martin, John and Regal Dorsey.

Her family would like to extend a special thanks to the staff of The Connecticut Hospice in Branford for their exceptional care and compassion.

Granting her wishes, there will be no calling hours. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial Thursday, February 11, at 10:30 a.m. in Most Holy Trinity Church, 84 North Colony St., Wallingford. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, gifts in her memory may be sent to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, P.O. Box 50, Memphis, TN, 38101. www.stjude.org Arrangements are under the direction The Wallingford Funeral Home, 809 N. Main St. Ext., Wallingford. www.wallingfordfh.com

Facts

Born: March 30, 1912
Death: February 5, 2010
Place of Death: The Connecticut Hospice in Branford

Services

Mass of Christian Burial

Thursday February 11, 2010, 10:30 AM at Most Holy Trinity Church
Click for Map and Directions

Donations

Memorial donations may be made to:
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, P.O. Box 50, Memphis, TN, 38101