Mary Pauline (Chiarito) Conforti

Mary Pauline (Chiarito) Conforti passed away on Thursday, January 15, 2015, at the age of 99. Born in Torrington, she was the daughter of the late Antonio and Catherine (Sabia) Chiarito and was married to the late Ralph Conforti. She is survived by daughters, MaryJane Thomas (husband, Kenneth C.) and Carol Szmalc (husband, Robert). She also was grandmother to Kenneth Thomas (wife, Karen), Michael Thomas, and David Szmalc, and great-grandmother to Emma and Kyle Thomas. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by five siblings; Lucy Swierczewski, Rose Smedick, Michael Chiarito, Anthony Chiarito, and Daniel “Mose” Chiarito, and being the eldest, resumed the role of motherhood when their mother passed away at an early age.

At the age of 14, Mary was employed by Fitzgerald Manufacturing Company where she met the love of her life, and later retired from the Torrington Company after many years of service. Mary was a communicant of St. Peter Church and a member of Sullivan Senior Center. She would often be seen sitting in her enclosed porch watching the cars pass by as she reminisced about the neighborhood and her earlier years. Her door was always open to anyone who entered and welcomed them with friendly conversation along with a cup of hot coffee or tea and a sweet treat. With a smile on her face, and music in her heart, she loved life. She accepted life with grace and dignity. She enjoyed a good laugh and her positive outlook on life was an inspiration to her family. To know her was to love her.

The family would like to thank Charlotte Hungerford Hospital Emergency Room and Valerie Manor for the compassion she received while in their care.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, January 20, 2015, with the cortege leaving at 10:30 a.m. from Cook Funeral Home, 82 Litchfield St., Torrington, to St. Peter Church, 107 East Main St., Torrington, for a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. Burial will follow in St. Francis New Cemetery. Calling hours will be held on Tuesday from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at Cook Funeral Home. Condolences may be sent to the Conforti Family by visiting www.cookfuneralhomect.com