Obituary of Aida E. Colella

Aida “Ada” Colella, a woman of faith, kindness, and family passed away after an extended illness at the Wingate of Reading Nursing Facility on Wednesday, June 6, 2018. She was 88 years old. Ada was born in Boston, the daughter of Italian immigrants, the late Leonardo and Carmela Colangelo. She grew up in East Boston in a home steep in Italian traditions and values. She married George Colella in 1950 and after living in East Boston for two years, they moved to Somerville where they raised their 3 children. In 1967 they settled in Burlington. Over the years Ada had worked part time for a wide variety of companies including Kemp’s Nuts, Stop and Shop, Spencer Cleaners, LaCascia’s, and Market Basket. She enjoyed working because it gave her an opportunity to socialize with the customers and coworkers. She also had a great circle of friends at St. Malachy’s Church. She went to Mass several times a week and prayed the rosary faithfully. For Ada, her most important job was that of taking care of her family. She would do anything for them. She helped in raising all her 8 grandchildren so that their parents could work. Ada thought it was gift to be able to spend so much time with the grandchildren. She would even insist her children go out on weekends, so they could enjoy time together and she would get more time with her grandkids. She even babysat her great grandchildren so that their parents could work as well. Ada was a fantastic cook and baker. When a family member or friend would visit, her first words were often “Have you eaten?” She never really listened to the answer and proceeded to escort them to her kitchen table. And when a guest was leaving, she always had a plate of food for them to take home. That hospitality and kindness extended far beyond her family. She was always thinking of others. For example, on trash day, Ada would make a delicious lunch for her rubbish and recycling truck drivers. It wasn’t a peanut butter sandwich, but rather an eggplant or chicken cutlet sandwich, pizzelles or some other dessert, and something to drink. When she moved into an assisted living facility, she had made such a wonderful connection with them that they came to visit her. The actions, beliefs, accomplishments, and values that she demonstrated in her lifetime have been instilled in her children and grandchildren to help guide them to make their lives more meaningful, fruitful, loving, faithful, and family oriented. Aida was the beloved wife of the late George A. Loving mother of Gail Putnam of Tyngsboro, George & his wife Terry of Burlington and Sharon Gray & her husband Donald of Nashua, NH. Proud grandmother of Melissa Putnam, Dana Maser, Sean & Stacie Colella, Pamela Gray and Ronald, Dennis & Joshua Rose. Great Grandmother of Bella and Sophia Maser & Kendra Colella. Sister of Sarah Bordonaro of Medford, Leonard Colangelo of FL, Emily Salvatore of FL and the late Michael, Mary, Alfred and Bro. Stephen Colangelo, Franciscan Friar at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church. Funeral from the Edward V Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., BURLINGTON (Exit 34 off Rt. 128/95 Woburn side) on Monday, June 11 at 10 a.m. Followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Malachy’s Church at 11 a.m. Visiting hours Sunday 4-7 p.m. Interment in Chestnut Hill Cemetery, Burlington. Memorials in Aida’s name may be made to Alzheimer’s Association, 309 Waverley Oaks Road, Waltham, MA 02452.