Obituaries

Genevieve “Gene” DiRoma of Oakdale, Ct. and Hutchinson Island, Fla., slipped peacefully into the Lord’s arms late on Friday evening, Sept. 2, 2016, while a shooting star sparkled over her home. Gene was surrounded by her devoted family who kept vigil at her bedside. Sunflowers smiled at her through her windowpane during the day as she slowly began her journey home.

Gene was born on June 24, 1936, in the Bronx, N.Y., the daughter of the late Benny and Antoinette (Pale) DellaMonica. She met the love of her life, S. Anthony (“Tony”) DiRoma, when she was a freshman at Evander Childs High School in the Bronx. Tony was running hurdles on the track team when he spotted her in the bleachers. This proved to be the beginning of their love affair. They were married in June of 1957 in Our Lady of Grace Church in the Bronx, and just celebrated 59 years of marriage.

Gene was the beloved mother of Rosann DiRoma (Mark Gravel) of Groton, Toni (Billy) Costello of Oakdale, Joseph (Sandra) DiRoma of Lisbon, and Lisa (Brian) Rolfe of Stonington.

Just when Gene thought it wasn’t possible to fall more deeply in love, she became the proud grandmother to her six grandchildren, Kevin Costello, Lindsay and Margaret (“Meg”) Rolfe, and Jessica, Sarah and Nicholas DiRoma. Known as “Mema” and “Gram” by her grandchildren, her eyes would sparkle the minute any of them would walk into the room.

Gene loved spending time by the water, especially at her home in Hutchinson Island, Fla. She enjoyed sitting on the sand and watching the waves; however, she did not enjoy actually swimming! She was very proud to be the only person in her middle school class to pass the swimming course without getting her hair wet!

Her home was always brimming with family and friends, especially during the holidays. Her cooking of traditional Italian meals was wonderful, and in 2005, she was proud to have written and published her own cookbook called “Amore della Cuccina” translated to “Love in the Kitchen”. Gene loved to talk to people about cooking and sharing her recipes. She was a gifted artist, working with oils and watercolors and creating wonderful renditions of her subjects. She was an avid reader, enjoying a vast array of diverse books.

In her younger years, she worked at The Outlet Department store, Faria’s Corporation and the Norwich Bulletin. Gene also donated her time as a substitute teacher at Mohegan Elementary School.

She was an active member of the Montville community serving as first president of the PTO at Mohegan Elementary School; vice president of the Women’s Auxiliary Club for the Jaycee’s, and received Outstanding Young Woman of the Year in 1974. Gene was a devout Roman Catholic and a communicant of St. John the Evangelist Church. She volunteered countless hours as a Lay Minister and Eucharistic Minister. She was co-president of the Couples Club, president of the Rosary Society, religious education teacher and later served as director of religious education. Before Gene’s illness, she was involved in many activities such as bowling and golfing. She loved playing bridge with her beloved “Thursday Bridge Group”, and especially with her two devoted and caring friends, Rita Lariviere and Vi Mulcahy.

Gene was an avid reader and extremely intelligent; even Jeopardy wasn’t challenging enough for her. She loved politics and welcomed any discussions or debates regarding town or national political issues.

Gene’s husband, Tony, gave up many dreams to care for her. He was a devoted husband who never left her side. Gene was never alone.

In addition to her husband, her children and her grandchildren, Gene is also survived by her brother, Pat DellaMonica and his wife, Beverly, of the Bronx; her brother-in-law, Frank DiRoma and his wife, Carol DiRoma, of Westerly; and many nieces and nephews.

Her family will receive relatives and friends from 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2016 at the Impellitteri-Malia Funeral Home, 84 Montauk Avenue, New London. Guests are asked to gather for a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 8, 2016 in St. John the Evangelist Church, 22 Maple Avenue, Uncasville. Interment to follow at St. Patrick Cemetery.

Please make donations in her memory to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Avenue, Boston, Mass. 02215.

Our family would like to thank the nurses and the staff at the New London Rehabilitation Center as well as the caring, compassionate nurses at the Lawrence + Memorial Cancer Center, and the Southeastern Connecticut Center for Hospice Care for their care and kindness as Gene slowly slipped from this earth. These doctors, nurses and aides are truly gifted angels that provided us with so much care and kindness.