Obituary of Italia Louise Tortorelli

Italia Louise (Sampogna) Tortorelli, of Waterbury, passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 1, 2020. She was the wife of the late Waterbury Police Sergeant Philip Frank Tortorelli. She was born on January 3, 1936 in Brewster, NY daughter of the late Antonio and Angela (Agosta) Sampogna. She graduated from Waterbury public schools, St. Mary’s Hospital School of Nursing in 1956 and attended University of Connecticut. She was employed as a RN at St. Mary’s Hospital and continued her career in various positions including an Ophthalmology Assistant and working at local convalescent homes as staff nurse and as resident care planner as well as OBRA coordinator. She was also employed as staff counselor and phlebotomist of Physicians Weight Loss Center. She was a member of the committee on Geriatric Nursing Education (COGNE), past representative of Waterbury Council of Churches and served as a commissioner on the board of health of Waterbury. She was a communicant of St. Michaels Church in Waterbury since 1965, a member of St. Michaels Ladies Guild, a past Parish Council Member. She served in the past as an extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist and a professed member of the Secular Franciscan Order. She enjoyed art, especially painting, cake decorating, music and spending time with her children and grandchildren. Louise is survived by three sons Peter A. (Betty) Tortorelli of Marietta, GA, Philip Tortorelli and Paul Tortorelli both of Waterbury, a daughter Angela (Lawrence) Langeway of Plymouth, four grandchildren; Marie (Tyler) Bao, Julia Langeway, Rachel Tortorelli and Jacob Tortorelli. She also leaves several nieces, nephews and close friends. She was predeceased by a brother Dr. Joseph Sampogna and a sister Mary Lirot. Our family greatly appreciates the fifteen extra years Dr. David Underhill and Dr. Ehsan Ansari were able to give us with our mother. We would like to give a sincere and special thank you to the earthly angels that helped our mother; Jodi, Dana, Allison, Merita, Claudia, Andrea, and Amy who provided care comfort and support in her final months. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in her memory to; St. Vincent DePaul Mission of Waterbury, Inc., 34 Willow Street, P. O. Box 1612, Waterbury, Connecticut, U.S.A. 06721. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 9 am on Saturday, March 7, 2020 at St. Michaels Church. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery, Waterbury. There are no calling hours. The Prospect Memorial Funeral Home, 72 Waterbury Rd., Prospect is assisting the family with arrangements.