Obituary of Phyllis C. Aiello

Phyllis C. (Rudman) Aiello, 86, of Stratford, beloved wife of 60 years to Alexander D. Aiello, passed away peacefully on January 11, 2024. Born in Worcester, Massachusetts in March 1937, Phyllis was the daughter of the late Philip and Ruth Rudman. She grew up in Worcester with her big brother Arthur, whom she adored.

Phyllis graduated from South High School in 1954, where she was an honor student and played varsity field hockey. She then attended the University of Massachusetts, working her way through college as a waitress. She graduated with honors in 1959 with a degree in Home Economics. After college, Phyllis moved to Connecticut to work for the United Illuminating Company in New Haven, where her job included demonstrating new appliances at local stores. One day, her work led her to A&A Appliances, where she caught the eye of one of the co-owners, Alexander (Al). He became the love of her life and they married in 1963, moving to Stratford shortly thereafter. Phyllis left UI for a job teaching home economics at Bassick High School.

In the following years Phyllis and Al welcomed two daughters, Jean and Kimberly. Phyllis left her job to raise her girls and run the household. She was a wonderful mom and her daughters are grateful to her for giving them great childhoods, constantly supporting them, attending all of their events and activities, finding them the best pet cat ever, and putting up with a parade of critters they brought into the house (including a snake). She always showed them her love, and had exceptional patience—even during their teenage years!

Phyllis was a long-standing and active parishioner of Trinity Episcopal Church in Trumbull. Over the years, she taught Sunday School, served on the vestry, chaired the church's women's group, and co-chaired the annual Christmas fair. Phyllis volunteered at her daughters' schools as a room mother and PTA member, and also volunteered at the Easter Seals Rehabilitation Center Ripple program where she helped its youngest patients overcome developmental and physical challenges.

Phyllis was a masterful cook and baker. Her Swedish gingerbread cookies, breads, and dinner rolls were among the family favorites, and the cookie jar was always full of homemade treats. She excelled at sewing, knitting, and crafts, making clothes for her girls (and their Barbies) and stuffed animals that would rival anything sold in stores. A music lover all of her life, Phyllis also was an accomplished singer, pianist and organist.

Phyllis and Al were avid travelers. Over the past few decades they went on numerous tours and cruises, exploring the United States as well as Canada, Europe, and the Caribbean. Phyllis' fondest travel memories were the cruises with her entire family, including not only her daughters and sons-in-law but her four grandchildren whom she loved very much.

In addition to her husband Alexander, Phyllis is survived by daughter Jean Tomasco and her husband Allan of Southington, CT; daughter Kimberly Coughlan and her husband Joseph (J) of South Glastonbury, CT; and her beloved grandchildren, Brian and Sarah Tomasco and Alexis and Victoria (Tori) Coughlan. She also leaves behind sisters-in-law Jane Aiello and Nancy Rudman; her nephew Christopher Aiello, his son Liam, and her niece Lori Aiello Hagans, who visited her often; as well as her niece Pam Ward and nephews Carl and Bill Rudman. She was predeceased by her brother, the Rev. Arthur Rudman, her brother-in-law Donald Aiello, and a niece, Karen Wildwood.

The family extends their deep appreciation to Beatrice Omo Oteri, the caregiver who took excellent care of Phyllis over the past year.

The family will receive family and friends from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Saturday, January 20th, at Abriola Parkview Funeral Home in Trumbull, with a Funeral Service to follow in 10:30 a.m. at Trinity Episcopal Church, 1734 Huntington Tpke., Trumbull. Interment will follow in St. John's Cemetery on Nichols Avenue in Stratford. In lieu of flowers, donations in Phyllis' memory can be made to the American Kidney Fund, https://www.kidneyfund.org, or Trinity Episcopal Church, http://www.trinitynichols.org/.