Nicholena Marie (nee Benedetto) Sabatelli of Southbury, formerly of Bridgeport, died peacefully at the age of 89 on Saturday June 4, 2011. She was affectionately known to her family and friends as "Nicky".
Nicholena was the wife of the late Daniel C. Sabatelli, Sr., formerly of the Bronx, New York. She is survived by two sons, Anthony Daniel Sabatelli, Ph.D., J.D., of New Haven and Daniel C. Sabatelli, Jr., M.D. of Ponce Inlet, Florida, and also a daughter-in-law, Donna (nee Riehm) Sabatelli, also of Ponce Inlet. She was also the mother of the late C. David Sabatelli of San Francisco, California. Nicholena is survived by five grandchildren: Air Force Captain Daniel C. Sabatelli, III of Ramstein AFB, Germany; Erik Michael Sabatelli and his fiancee Kristin Nelson of Stamford; Brendan Tyler Sabatelli of Ponce Inlet; Christian Nicholas Sabatelli of Ponce Inlet; and Allyson Nicole Sabatelli of Ponce Inlet.
Nicholena was born on June 11, 1921 in Bridgeport, the daughter of the late Thomas Sebastian Benedetto and Elsie Michele (nee Finell) Benedetto. She was predeceased by a sister, Mary Benedetto Cocco, and three brothers, Bernard Benedetto, Bartholomew Benedetto, and Ralph Benedetto. She is survived by two sisters-in-law, Ann Tatangelo Benedetto and Mary Kolouris Benedetto, and also several nieces and nephews. Nicholena was also recently predeceased by her beloved, long-time friend Elizabeth ("Betty") DeCarlo.
Nicholena was a graduate of Warren Harding High School in Bridgeport and held an associate's degree in decorative arts from the University of Bridgeport. Nicholena was an accounting and records department employee of the former Connecticut National Bank in Bridgeport for many years. She was an avid reader, cook, puzzle master, and horsewoman. She also was an avid gardener and grower of exotic tropical plants and Japanese bonsai, and loved to attend the opera. She enjoyed traveling, having been to her favorite city, London, England, on many occasions. The following quote, attributed to former first lady Eleanor Roosevelt, was one of Nicholena's favorites and summed up her philosophy of life: "A woman is like a teabag - you never know how strong she is until she gets in hot water."
Nicholena was a member of Sacred Heart Church in Southbury and had been a volunteer at various schools and civic organizations in both Fairfield and Bridgeport. She also served as co-chair of the Executive Committee of the Bridgeport Mentoring Assistants Council, where she championed the cause of literacy for middle and grade school students. Nicholena was a former notary public and justice of the peace, having officiated at numerous marriages. She was also a member of the National Huguenot Society and the Daughters of the American Revolution.

Memorials: In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in support of Sacred Heart Church's Haitian Mission Project. Such contributions should clearly designate the Haitian Mission Project and be sent to Sacred Heart Church, 910 Main St., South, Southbury, CT 06488.

Cemetery: Mountain Grove Cemetery (BPT)

Location: Munson-Lovetere Southbury

Funeral: Sacred Heart Church

Services: A mass of Christian burial will be held on Saturday June 11th at 10am at Sacred Heart Church, 910 Main St. South, Southbury. Entombment will follow in Mountain Grove Cemetery, Bridgeport.

Visitation: Friends may call at the Southbury Funeral Home of Munson - Lovetere, 235 Main St. North, on Friday June 10th from 5 - 7pm.