Delina Ferretti

Delina Ferretti, 72, of Colchester, passed away early Wednesday morning (March 8, 2017) at the Marlborough Health Care Center after a courageous battle with cancer.  Born in Glasgow, Scotland on April 3, 1944, she was the daughter of Gino and Helen (Hamilton) Ferretti.  At age 15, Delina scored highest in scholastic and academics in all of Scotland.  After emigrating from Scotland to America in 1962, she continued her education at Trinity College and received a BS in Biology with high honors.  She was offered a 4 year scholarship at Yale to continue her education.  However, her career would bring her to California and to Stanford University Hospital where she ran the Hematology & Oncology clinics at the University Hospital.  Her career culminated as an oncology research consultant in the medical field.  She retired a few years ago and as a final gift to the advancement of oncological studies, Delina became an organ donor for the purpose of medical research. Prior to moving to California, Delina was an avid bowler. In 1970 – Delina won the Eastern Ladies Tournament, 1975 - 47th Annual CT State tournament held at Holiday Lanes in Manchester & Gillette in Middletown. Won 2nd place doubles with Kathy Wickham and took women’s all events and team triples. 1977 - 40th Annual National held at Skokal Lanes in Waterbury won New England Singles A Division with 451. Also ranked 17th (1975-76) & 19th (1976-77) in CT.  She enjoyed gardening, socializing with friends, music and dancing.  Most importantly, she loved her children and grandchildren, family and her dear friends and extended family both here and in Scotland and will be sadly missed by all of them. She leaves to mourn her passing, Donna McLean, of Colchester, Elena and husband Jerry Musselman, Michael and Diane Rock, all of  Campbell, CA: an “adopted” daughter, Risa Gerrish  of Granby, CT, and her beloved friend and “adopted sister” Kit Russell of New York; five siblings, Gino (Marianne) Ferretti and John Ferretti, both of CA, Louis Ferretti, Yvonne (Eloi) Noel, Helena Trey, all of CT; six grandchildren, Mark and Anthony Vidunas, Jason and Lauren Musselman, Sarah and Stephen Rock; many other children whom she was fondly known as Grandma. The family wishes to extend a warm thank you to those who were able to visit and care for Delina during her valiant battle, and her daughter Donna wishes to extend heartfelt thanks to Nadine Tuck, Delina’s goddaughter, and to Kathy (Wickham) Pontes, and to Kit Russell, for their love, care and support to mom and her during the past several months. A memorial service will be held on Friday, May 5, 2017 at 5:00 p.m at the Aurora-McCarthy Funeral Home, 167 Old Hartford Road, Colchester.  The  family will be hosting a buffet dinner in Delina’s honor at the St. Joseph's Polish Club in Colchester immediately following the services.  The family hopes to celebrate Delina’s life and share the so many fond memories of Delina.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai at http://icahn.mssm.edu/research/friedman or 1 Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY 10029-5674.