Obituary of Carmela Ovens

Carmela (Lee) Merola Ovens, age 94, of Oxford and formerly of Bridgeport, beloved wife of the late Robert (Bob) Ovens Sr., passed away peacefully on Thursday, July 27, 2023 in the comfort of her home surrounded by her loving family. Born in Bridgeport on October 30, 1928 she was a daughter of the late Michele and Arcangela Rauso Merola.

Lee attended Bullard Havens Technical School and Butler Business School. She was formerly employed by Reads, Jordan Marsh, Abraham & Strauss and Macy's and retired in 2002. Everyone called her the "Candy Lady". She was always there to help anyone in need and was very giving. Lee was a dedicated parishioner of Our Lady of Grace, where she was a member of the Marion Guild and enjoyed singing along with the choir. But above all Lee was a dedicated and loving wife, mother and grandmother.

Survivors include her two loving daughters, Gloria Carey (Dan), and Sharon Coling (Howard); three cherished grandchildren, Stephanie Bostic (Bernard), Robert Ovens III (Tamara), Sarah Pavone (Bill), three adored great grandchildren, Liam DiMaio, Olivia Ovens and Charles Duguay, sisters, Margaret (Marge) Sullivan and Gloria Centopani, as well as several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her son, Robert Ovens Jr., a grandson, Vincent Carey, two brothers, Nicholas J. and Louis Merola and two sisters, Mary Ovens and Ann Maniscalco.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, August 1, 2023 at 11:00 am in Our Lady of Grace Church, 497 Second Hill Lane, Stratford. Interment will follow in St. Michael's Cemetery, Stratford. Relatives and friends may greet the family on Tuesday morning from 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. in the Abriola Parkview Funeral Home, 419 White Plains Road, Trumbull, CT, 06611.