Yolanda Delia Castella died peacefully at the Shady Knoll Health Care Center in Seymour on Wednesday September 25, 2013.
Yolanda was born on May 12, 1917 in Manhattan, NY to Carmelo and Delizia (Sulenti) Traina from Vittorio, Sicily.
She was the youngest of five siblings. Her father and mother operated a dressmaking factory and a retail dress store in Brooklyn, NY for many decades named “Yolanda’s.” Along with her siblings, Yolanda worked in the store and at home learning the skills of retail sales, sewing, and customer relations. She applied her customer relations skills for 22 years as the office manager for The New England Septic Company founded by her eldest son Richard.
In 1945 Yolanda married World War II Veteran Corporal Richard Castella of Brooklyn, NY. In 1955 they moved to Seymour, CT to raise their family.
Yolanda is predeceased by her husband Richard, her sisters Jean DeVIto, Mary Mezzasalma, and Dora Traina, her brother Emannuel Traina, her son Richard, and her daughter-in-law Jeanie Castella.
She is survived by her two sons Dennis Castella, and his wife Beth of North Adams, MA, and Gary Castella of Seymour, her two grandchildren, Nicole and Philip, and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Yolanda’s greatest joy was her family. She remained an integral part of holiday gatherings, and special celebrations. She enjoyed hosting family sleepovers and summer picnics. She was a counselor, advocate, confidante, and motivator to her sons, as well as her nieces and nephews. She was a longtime member of St. Augustine’s Church in Seymour.
Friends and family may call on Saturday from 9:30 to 10:00 AM in the Edward F. Adzima Funeral Home 253 Elizabeth Street Derby. At 10:30 AM her funeral procession will leave the funeral home for a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 AM in St. Mary’s Church. Burial will follow in Mt. St. Peter Cemetery Derby.
Donations may be made to your favorite charity in memory of Yolanda.
Please leave condolences to her family at www.adzimafh.com
