August 7, 2026
(The following reflection is excerpted from a column written by Karen A. Avitabile, editor of the Catholic Transcript of the Archdiocese of Hartford, about her aunt Carmella “Carmel” Louise Avitabile, who died at 87 five years ago. During her life, she suffered many losses, and for years, she was a facilitator in the New Day bereavement program and worked closely with Dominican Sister of Peace Mauryeen O’Brien OP.)
Carmel Avitabile grew up in an Italian household in Southington — her mother was from San Felice Cangello, Italy, and her father from Agerola.
When her brother, Joseph, died in 1972, Carmel’s life took an unexpected turn. She and her mother took on the responsibility of becoming guardians for Joseph’s daughter and four sons.
She retired from Nationwide Insurance Co. as an accounting supervisor, and then received an associate degree in general education from Tunxis Community College in Farmington and tutored many students there.
Carmel was a compassionate and devout Catholic who touched many lives, especially those who were grieving. She worked tirelessly as an apostle in her own parish. She demonstrated her love of God through many ministries she was involved in at St.Thomas in Southington. She served as a lector, a Eucharistic minister, a parish trustee, a religious education instructor and brought the Eucharist to the homebound who were often ill.
She experienced grief throughout her life, and after the death of her mother, Carmel became a facilitator for the New Day Bereavement Program in the Archdiocese of Hartford. In the program, she accompanied many people through the process of losing a loved one.
She also organized the annual town-wide memorial service for DellaVecchia Funeral Home. A library of bereavement books donated by Carmel was set up in her memory there.
Throughout her life, she was known for her generosity and compassion to those who had lost someone. She opened her heart to others and accompanied them on their healing journey from grief to hope.
***
Sign Up for Healing Journey Messages
Receive a daily message to your email address.