Obituary of Palmina "Pam" J. Cervero

Palmina "Pam" J. Santilli Cervero, age 90, beloved wife of Frank M. Cervero of Stratford, passed away on Thursday, July 12, 2018 at 8:00 p.m. Born in Tocco Casauria, Italy on February 28, 1928, she was a daughter of the late Vincenzo and Francesca DelBiondo Santilli. She emigrated to the United States at the age of two with her family and lived in Bridgeport until moving to Stratford in 1976. Pam's greatest joy was being surrounded by her family as they ate food she had prepared for them. Cooking for Pam was not merely a hobby, rather for her, preparing and sharing food, especially the foods of her Italian background, was a way to celebrate heritage, create community and foster relationships among her family and friends.

In addition to cooking, Pam enjoyed knitting, crossword puzzles and dancing. She and her husband, Frank, began ballroom dancing in 1970 and were avid dancers for 45 years. Through the kindness that she showed all people, and the dignity and respect that she held toward everyone, Pam was an exemplar of Christian values. In return, she was loved and admired by everyone who knew her.

In addition to her husband Frank of 69 years, survivors include two loving children, Ronald Cervero and his wife Janna Dresden of Athens, GA and Donna Cervero and her husband Gary Fox of Monroe and three cherished grandchildren, Francesca Cervero and her husband Zack Fink (Takoma Park, MD), Mark Cervero and his wife Maura (Winthrop, MA) and Tim Fox (Norwalk, CT) as well as many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by two brothers, Ed and Joseph Santilli and her sister, Mary Sharp.

A final gathering will take place on Monday, July 16, 2018 at 9:00 a.m. at the Abriola Parkview Funeral Home, 419 White Plains Road, Trumbull and at 10:00 a.m. in St. Mark Church, Stratford for a Mass of Christian Burial. Rev. Joseph Cervero will officiate at the service. Interment will follow in Long Hill Burial Grounds, Trumbull. Relatives and friends may greet the family on Sunday, July 15 from 1:00-4:00pm.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Swim Across the Sound, St. Vincent's Medical Center Foundation, 2800 Main St., Bridgeport, CT 06606.