Obituaries

Ana Celia Iturrino

September 12, 1936 - April 22, 2019

Burial Date April 25, 2019

Ana Celia Iturrino was born in Anasco,Puerto Rico on September 12^th 1936. She was one of 12 siblings born to Ciprian Iturrino and Dorotea Iturrino-Rodriguez.

Ana was best known to all her family and friends as Chely. She was one of the sweetest people you would ever meet. An avid gardener, a skill she learned from her humble beginnings while living in Barrio Colcobada. She loved sharing stories of her childhood and the simple life shared with all her brothers and sisters in the countryside. Amongst the many things she loved, she collected dolls, loved to cook and was amazing at it, and loved to eat-especially lobster and Chinese foods. She loved to shop and walk around the mall, her favorite place was Sears. Her family always teased her that she should have purchased stock from Sears since she already spent so much money there.

During her early years she found the Lord and was baptized at a young age in the Pentecostal church. She was a nanny for her pastor and later moved to the United States to care for their young children. She worked as a nanny and seamstress and saved all her money so she can bring all her family to be with her in New York. She is considered the matriarch of the family because she made it her life mission to look over and take care of her brothers, sisters and parents. Her nieces and nephews have always referred to her as their “second mother”. She worked at Ideal Toys for many years where she developed a love for toys and dolls (her favorite being the Baby Chrissy dolls). She moved to New London, Ct in 1984. During the early 80’s she was known as everyone’s favorite Icee lady for the wonderful frozen ices and flavors she made and sold to neighborhood children. This was one of her fondest memories that she has shared over the years.

She was an outstanding wife, having outlived two husbands (Mariano Castro and Nery de Jesus Feliciano) and raising children on her own. Being a mother was one of her greatest gifts in life. As a mother, she was hands down the best. She supported her children and loved them even when they were unlovable. She was always there to give hugs and kisses and to say just the right thing to help us get up and be strong. She took such great care of all of us. She had so much love for everyone, and everyone loved her.

Her loss will be felt deeply in our lives and in our hearts, but because of her loyal Christian service, we know that she is going to a place that many who have had a glimpse of Heaven can only describe as absolutely indescribable. Such beauty, such peace…. And to be in God’s presence.. words truly cannot capture such emotion.

The Bible says in John 14:2, “My father’s house has many rooms, if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? Based on this, we know that Ana will have a gorgeous mansion waiting for her and she will be preparing rooms for us for when we arrive as well.

Chely is preceded in death by her parents, Ciprian and Dorotea Iturrino, her brother Jesus “Puchi” Iturrino and her sister Maria Luisa “Malliza” Iturrino-Sanchez.

She is survived by 9 of her siblings, respective spouses and many children (her beloved nieces and nephews:

Brothers : Luis and Doris Iturrino, Reinaldo Iturrino, Miguel and Margot Iturrino, Wilfredo and Aracely Iturrino, David and Martha Iturrino, Roberto and Agripina Iturrino, Eliezer and Maritza Iturrino

Sisters: Carmen Violeta Iturrino-Colmenares & Frank Colmenares

Felicita Iturrino.

Tati, Hayden, Noemi, Joshua, Angel, Tito, Marilyn, Alice, Wilfredo “Juni”, Samuel, Giovanni Rae, Marilyn, Gizelle, Vanessa, Yari, Tito Jr.,Frankie Jr, Richie, Danny, Tito, Renita, Tessa, Cecily, Kelsie, Yesenia, Melinda, Ruben, Yancy, Edwin, Jose “Kiko”, Claribel, Obed, Manuel, Michael “ Mickey”, Jose, and numerous grands.

Also survived by 5 beloved children, spouses and grandchildren-

Daughter-Aida Esther Ballester, husband Ramon Ballester,

Children:

• Raymond Ballester
• Aida Luz Ballester
• Janette Ballester-Kalas
• Damaris Ballester
• Alexander Ballester
• Noemi Ballester

Grandchildren:

Melissa Santos,Andrew Ballester,Christopher Miranda, Nicholas Kalas, Jeremy Martinez, Zenaida Martinez, Maria Elena Kalas, Jakob Martinez, Isaiah Davis, Justin Ballester, Yanni Kalas, Joshua Davis, Xebastian Rodriguez

Great Grandchildren:

Nashley Miranda, Ariana Santos, Dante Miranda, Mason Reyes, Jason Santos, Celeste Santos

Son-Jesus Castro

Children:

Olivia Castro

Zachary Castro

Daughter -Enid Castro

children:

Ricardo R. Graham and wife Monal Graham-son Neal Avery Graham

1. Anthony Graham –daughters Cecely and CJ Graham

Dominique E. Torres- children Ismael Torres and Yaneli Burton

Natasha S. Gonzales- children Madison, Jaylin and Robert Jr.

Daughter -Elizabeth Feliciano-Kirk and husband Patrick S. Kirk

children:

Kyana Franchesca Kirk

Khaleah Isabela Kirk

Eli Sebastian Kirk

Klaribel Shayne Kirk

Elizabeth Gabriela Kirk

Son- Israel O. Feliciano and wife Angela Peralta-Feliciano

children:

Isrealla Rita Feliciano

Israel Sebastian Feliciano

The calling hours are Thursday, April 25, 2019 from 5-7 pm at the Impellitteri-Malia Funeral Home, 84 Montauk Avenue.  The Funeral service will be at 7pm, immediately at the end of the calling hours. The burial will be on Friday, April 26, 2019 at 10am at Cedar Grove Cemetery, Broad Street in New London.