Obituary: Ellen Josephine (Hessley) Mascoli

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Ellen Josephine (Hessley) Mascoli

MIDDLEBURY — Ellen Josephine “Josie” (Hessley) Mascoli, 84, of Middlebury, died peacefully Tuesday, May 26, 2020, after a brief illness with her loving family beside her. She was the widow of Dr. Nicholas M. Mascoli Jr.

Ellen was born June 12, 1935, in Kane, Pa., daughter of the late Joseph and Agatha (Rossetti) Hessley. She was a graduate from Warren High School, Warren, Pa., where she was an active member of the Future Business Leaders of America and went on to St. Vincent’s Hospital School of Nursing in Erie, Pa. As a registered nurse, she moved to Washington D.C., where she worked at George Washington Hospital. It was there she met the love of her life, Nicholas. They settled in Middlebury, where they raised their family. Ellen returned to work with the State of Connecticut at Fairfield Hills before becoming a case manager for the Department of Mental Health.

Ellen was active in the community as well, serving as a volunteer librarian at Shepardson School, girls Middlebury recreational softball and basketball coach, and Cub Scout den mother. She was a board member of Self, Inc. in Waterbury, a member of the Holy Cross High School Mothers Club and a parishioner of St. John of the Cross Church in Middlebury. Ellen loved to work in the garden and was an avid UConn women’s basketball fan, attending many home games and numerous Final Fours.

Ellen leaves her children, Dr. Nicholas Mascoli and his wife, Dr. Deneen Pelletier, of Bedford, Mass., Gregory Mascoli and his wife, Maria, of Avon, David Mascoli and his wife, Kristine, of Middlebury, Jeffrey Mascoli and his wife, Maureen, of Warwick. R.I., and LindaAnne Mascoli of Middlebury; sister, Agnes “Dutchie” Higham of Erie, Pa.; brother, Bernard Hessley and his wife, Linda; sister-in-law, Bobbi Hessley of Warren, Pa.; and sister, Rita Hessley and her companion, Paulette Campagna, of Cincinnati, Ohio; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Marie and Salvatore Scionti of Naugatuck; nine grandchildren, Matthew, Emma, Sarah Katherine, Alexander, Patrick, Andrew, J Elizabeth, Caroline and Jeffrey; several nieces and nephews; and seven granddogs. Ellen is predeceased by her brother, Thomas; and brother-in-law, James Higham.

The family would like to recognize the private duty aids from Aging Better At Home: Louise Ntangu, Nora Sinanoska and Nancy Picard for their loving care of mom.

A memorial mass will be celebrated on Saturday, June 20, 2020, at noon at St. John of the Cross Church, 1263 West St., Middlebury. The Naugatuck Valley Memorial Fitzgerald Zembruski Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.

Contributions in Ellen’s name can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association Connecticut Chapter, 200 Executive Blvd. S #4B, Southington, CT 06489.

To send an online condolence, visit www.naugatuckvalleymemorial.com.