Obituary for Louise Lostocco
Louise (Petersen) Lostocco, 97, a life-long resident of Wethersfield, and recent resident of Middlewoods of Newington, passed away peacefully on October 29, 2022, a beautiful Autumn Day. ‘Weezy’, as she was affectionately known by many, was born in Hartford, CT in 1925 to Helga Luthje Petersen and Bernhardt Petersen, and grew up in the Frog Hollow section of the city. She attended Hartford Public High School and Hillyer College (now a part of the University of Hartford). She was proud to be a graduate of UHart and even prouder to be a recipient of the 1999 Alumni Award for Distinguished Service from the University. This was very special to her since she had not even considered attending college during the height of World War II, but that changed when she received a scholarship to Hillyer. Louise attended college while also making carbines in support of the War at the Underwood Merrow Machine factory in Hartford, and graduated in 1945. She was extremely proud to have a son and two grandchildren as UHart alumni.
She was predeceased by her brother, Warren, and by her loving husband, Paul, with whom she shared 58 years together. Throughout their marriage, they enjoyed socializing and dancing the jitterbug. After raising their children, they spent time traveling, going to the theater, and attending their grandchildren’s recitals, school programs and sporting events.
Louise was employed by the Wethersfield School System for over 30 years. For most of her career, she was a paraprofessional working with elementary school age students. When she retired, she went back as a lunch aide until the age of 88. Louise was always rejuvenated, and found much joy in, being around schools, children and learning. On her retirement from Hanmer School, she told students ‘They were the medicine to her day’.
Louise never owned a computer and got all her news by reading three newspapers daily. She was always sending friends and family, especially her grandchildren, clippings about their favorite sports team, musical group, book, or career choice. Louise was also fascinated by pop culture and staying up-to-date on the lingo of the day. When you met Louise, you got a pen pal for life. She was steadfast in maintaining relationships via pen and paper, with birthday cards, holiday cards or just a note to say ‘Hi and Happy Spring’. Her notes always had positive words of encouragement. When people moved, her cards and letters followed. For over 70 years, Louise was writing handwritten notes to her high school friend, Vangie.
One of Louise’s greatest pleasures over the last 70 years was attending shows at The Bushnell in Hartford. Her love of the theater started when she was in her twenties when she would wait outside the Bushnell back door for autographs – anyone’s autograph! She brought her husband, Paul, to their first show together – South Pacific – and they continued attending shows and events throughout their marriage. Her favorite show was ‘La Cage Aux Folles’, and favorite show tune, ‘The Best of Times’. Louise cherished her time at The Bushnell and made many friends over the years through her association. She always bought show tickets for her children and grandchildren and encouraged exposure to the theater at a young age.
Louise was a long-time and devoted member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Wethersfield. The friends she made at St. Paul’s were important to her and she felt blessed to know them. Those who drove her to church in her later years, as well as those who came to visit her, were an important part of her life, and she was extremely grateful for their kindness. Two special Wethersfield neighbors, Betty Enes and Sue Grassman, were also a wonderful support for her for many years.
Weezy will be remembered for being fiercely independent and for all the ‘bling’. The more sparkly and bedazzled, the better, whether it was her clothes, her sneakers or her nail polish. She appreciated fine jewelry and clothes from Talbots, her favorite store for decades.
To remember to live Life with an optimistic attitude and never give in to the aches and pains of growing older was something Weezy leaves her children and grandchildren. She truly was a member of the Greatest Generation.
Special thanks to Dr. Greg Bonaiuto and Alan Dumaine, for managing Louise’s hearing disability for so many years and allowing her to remain socially active into her 90’s. Their care, compassion and professionalism were truly inspiring.
The Lostocco family would like to extend their gratitude to Nutmeg Home Assistance – Anna Wilbik and her dedicated caregivers – especially Teresa B. who was a loving, compassionate and truly amazing presence for our mom through her final years and who touched the lives of the entire family in a deeply heartfelt way. Thanks, and appreciation to the Middlewoods of Newington community for their kindness and keeping our mom safe during the COVID pandemic. Also, our sincere praise to Vicki A. – an angel.
Louise leaves her five children, Michael Lostocco of West Haven; Susan Nadathur of Lajas, Puerto Rico; Lisa Musco and her husband Steve of Simsbury; Judy Rowley of Newtown and Bill Lostocco and his wife Elaine Gaudette of Haddam. She also leaves eight precious grandchildren, Sita Nadathur, Alex and Amy Musco, Lindsey Musco, Olivia, Patrick and Gloria Rowley, Benjamin Lostocco and his fiancé Ashleigh, Samuel Lostocco, and one great-grandchild, Mila Musco. Louise was so incredibly proud of the accomplishments of each of her grandchildren and always kept up with their academics and travels. She also leaves several sisters-in-law and a brother-in-law as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
A favorite poem of Louise’s by Robert H. Smith:
The clock of Life is wound but once;
And no one has the power …
To tell just when the hands will stop.
At late or early hour.
Now is the only time you own;
Live, love, toil with a will;
Place no faith in tomorrow for
The clock may then be still.
Visitation will be on Saturday, November 5, 2022 at 8:30 am in St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 371 Wolcott Hill Road, Wethersfield, CT. Service will be held at 10:00 am. Burial will follow in Village Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in honor of Louise’s ‘hell of a ride’ can be made to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 371 Wolcott Hill Road, Wethersfield, CT 06109. For further information, or to leave a condolence, please visit FarleySullivan.com.
She was predeceased by her brother, Warren, and by her loving husband, Paul, with whom she shared 58 years together. Throughout their marriage, they enjoyed socializing and dancing the jitterbug. After raising their children, they spent time traveling, going to the theater, and attending their grandchildren’s recitals, school programs and sporting events.
Louise was employed by the Wethersfield School System for over 30 years. For most of her career, she was a paraprofessional working with elementary school age students. When she retired, she went back as a lunch aide until the age of 88. Louise was always rejuvenated, and found much joy in, being around schools, children and learning. On her retirement from Hanmer School, she told students ‘They were the medicine to her day’.
Louise never owned a computer and got all her news by reading three newspapers daily. She was always sending friends and family, especially her grandchildren, clippings about their favorite sports team, musical group, book, or career choice. Louise was also fascinated by pop culture and staying up-to-date on the lingo of the day. When you met Louise, you got a pen pal for life. She was steadfast in maintaining relationships via pen and paper, with birthday cards, holiday cards or just a note to say ‘Hi and Happy Spring’. Her notes always had positive words of encouragement. When people moved, her cards and letters followed. For over 70 years, Louise was writing handwritten notes to her high school friend, Vangie.
One of Louise’s greatest pleasures over the last 70 years was attending shows at The Bushnell in Hartford. Her love of the theater started when she was in her twenties when she would wait outside the Bushnell back door for autographs – anyone’s autograph! She brought her husband, Paul, to their first show together – South Pacific – and they continued attending shows and events throughout their marriage. Her favorite show was ‘La Cage Aux Folles’, and favorite show tune, ‘The Best of Times’. Louise cherished her time at The Bushnell and made many friends over the years through her association. She always bought show tickets for her children and grandchildren and encouraged exposure to the theater at a young age.
Louise was a long-time and devoted member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Wethersfield. The friends she made at St. Paul’s were important to her and she felt blessed to know them. Those who drove her to church in her later years, as well as those who came to visit her, were an important part of her life, and she was extremely grateful for their kindness. Two special Wethersfield neighbors, Betty Enes and Sue Grassman, were also a wonderful support for her for many years.
Weezy will be remembered for being fiercely independent and for all the ‘bling’. The more sparkly and bedazzled, the better, whether it was her clothes, her sneakers or her nail polish. She appreciated fine jewelry and clothes from Talbots, her favorite store for decades.
To remember to live Life with an optimistic attitude and never give in to the aches and pains of growing older was something Weezy leaves her children and grandchildren. She truly was a member of the Greatest Generation.
Special thanks to Dr. Greg Bonaiuto and Alan Dumaine, for managing Louise’s hearing disability for so many years and allowing her to remain socially active into her 90’s. Their care, compassion and professionalism were truly inspiring.
The Lostocco family would like to extend their gratitude to Nutmeg Home Assistance – Anna Wilbik and her dedicated caregivers – especially Teresa B. who was a loving, compassionate and truly amazing presence for our mom through her final years and who touched the lives of the entire family in a deeply heartfelt way. Thanks, and appreciation to the Middlewoods of Newington community for their kindness and keeping our mom safe during the COVID pandemic. Also, our sincere praise to Vicki A. – an angel.
Louise leaves her five children, Michael Lostocco of West Haven; Susan Nadathur of Lajas, Puerto Rico; Lisa Musco and her husband Steve of Simsbury; Judy Rowley of Newtown and Bill Lostocco and his wife Elaine Gaudette of Haddam. She also leaves eight precious grandchildren, Sita Nadathur, Alex and Amy Musco, Lindsey Musco, Olivia, Patrick and Gloria Rowley, Benjamin Lostocco and his fiancé Ashleigh, Samuel Lostocco, and one great-grandchild, Mila Musco. Louise was so incredibly proud of the accomplishments of each of her grandchildren and always kept up with their academics and travels. She also leaves several sisters-in-law and a brother-in-law as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
A favorite poem of Louise’s by Robert H. Smith:
The clock of Life is wound but once;
And no one has the power …
To tell just when the hands will stop.
At late or early hour.
Now is the only time you own;
Live, love, toil with a will;
Place no faith in tomorrow for
The clock may then be still.
Visitation will be on Saturday, November 5, 2022 at 8:30 am in St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 371 Wolcott Hill Road, Wethersfield, CT. Service will be held at 10:00 am. Burial will follow in Village Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in honor of Louise’s ‘hell of a ride’ can be made to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 371 Wolcott Hill Road, Wethersfield, CT 06109. For further information, or to leave a condolence, please visit FarleySullivan.com.