Obituaries

Carmela B. Parker, 81, of Waterford entered into eternal life Dec. 3, 2022. She was born Aug. 4, 1941, in New London, to the late James and Mary (D’Amico) Balda.

Carmela grew up in New London, on Reed Street and attended St. Mary’s School and graduated from New London High School, class of 1959. She was united in marriage to Donald E. Parker April 24, 1965, at St. Mary Star of the Sea Church. They were married for 48 years until Donald’s passing in 2013. After graduating from high school, Carmela worked at the telephone company for almost ten years as a telephone operator. After getting married, they then moved to Arlington, Va., while Donald was stationed in Washington, D.C. They moved back to Connecticut, in the late ’70s to be closer to family; and settled in Waterford. Carmela worked with her parents for many years in her family’s business, the former Patsy’s Grocery Store on Bank Street.

She is survived by her children, Donna Marie and Joshua Olmstead, and Jennifer Turck, both of Quaker Hill. Her greatest accomplishment in life were her four grandchildren: Scott, Elizabeth and Kate Olmstead and Carmine Micech, who affectionally called her “Gamma.” Gamma loved to spoil them all by buying them surprises, making them special treats and delicious dinners. She loved being able to brag that she was always the first one to finish her Christmas shopping. She touched the lives of so many people. She will truly be missed and will never, ever be forgotten.

Her family will receive relatives and friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 8, at the Impellitteri-Malia Funeral Home, 84 Montauk Ave., New London. The funeral will assemble at 11:30 a.m. Friday and proceed to a Mass of Christian Burial at 12:30 p.m. in St. Paul Church, 170 Rope Ferry Road, Waterford. Interment will follow in St. Mary Cemetery, New London