Patricia (Walsh) Bellini

LAKEVILLE — Mrs. Patricia (Walsh) Bellini, 74, died unexpectedly on Sept. 25, 2012, after a brief illness at the Waterbury Hospital. She was the widow of Charles Anthony Bellini. Mrs. Bellini was born Jan. 26, 1938, in Sharon, the daughter of the late Alice (McGhee) and William Walsh. She was raised in Lakeville and was a graduate of Housatonic Valley Regional High School. She received her teaching degree from Western Connecticut State University and received her master’s degree from Southern Connecticut State University. She began her teaching career as a fifth-grade teacher at the Polk School in Watertown and then became the assistant vice principal at Swift Middle School, also in Watertown. At the time of her retirement she was the principal of the Cheshire Middle School. Following her retirement she continued teaching as a substitute teacher and took great pleasure in her role as Nana. She enjoyed tending to her gardens, bird-watching and caring for her beloved pets. She had been an active member of the community and had served on the Republican Town Committee, was a member of the Connecticut Teachers Association and a communicant of St. Thomas Church. She is survived by her two daughters, Dr. Lauralyn (Bellini) Cannistra and her husband, Dr. Anthony J. Cannistra, of Cumberland, R.I., and Kathleen (Bellini) Snyder and her fiancé, John F. Murphy, of Terryville, Conn.; her sister, Joan (Walsh) Killawee of North Canaan; five grandchildren, Anthony and Stephanie Cannistra and Jason, Jeremy and Christopher Snyder; and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her brother, William Walsh Jr. A mass of Christian burial was held Oct. 1 at St. Thomas Church in Thomaston, Conn. Burial followed in St. Thomas Cemetery. For more information, to submit an online condolence or share a story or photo go to Patricia’s tribute wall at www.lyonsfuneralhome.com. Memorial contributions may be made to the Thomaston Volunteer Ambulance Assoc., South Main Street, Thomaston, CT 06787.