ISABELLE M. (BERTANI) GELARDI

Isabelle M. (Bertani) Gelardi, 98, beloved wife of the late Col. Anthony Gelardi, U.S. Army Retired and loving daughter of the late Paolo Sebastiano and Luisa Maria (Buonaccorsi) Bertani, passed away on July 25th, in Biddeford, Maine. Isabelle had resided in Kennebunkport for over 30 years. She had a well lived 98 years of life. She arrived in America from Lucca, Italy at the age of 7. She married her husband in 1935 and lived in both Providence and Cranston, Rhode Island. As a military wife, she traveled the world. Her extensive travels brought her to live in many of the states in the U.S.A. and abroad in Hawaii, Libya, Taiwan, Pakistan, and Italy. Isabelle was an accomplished seamstress, milliner, and cook. She loved to entertain wherever she lived. It didn't matter to her whether you were a lonesome G.I. from Providence or the son of General Chiang Kai-shek, her home was open to all. Her recipes were given to many and in her later years she was famous for her unique chocolate Crazy Cake. Isabelle was devoted to her children: Louise Capotosto and her husband the late Augustine Capotosto of East Greenwich, Anthony Gelardi and his wife Jacqueline (Valliere) of Strong, ME, Paul Gelardi and his wife Deborah (Pepin) of Cape Porpoise, ME, 10 grandchildren, and 13 great-grandchildren. She was the sister of the late Isabella, Piera, and Peter Bertani. Visiting hours in Maine will be on Monday, July 27th from 5 - 8 p.m. at Bibber Memorial Chapel, 67 Summer Street, Kennebunk, ME 04043. Visiting hours in Rhode Island will precede the funeral mass on Wednesday, July 29th, from 9 - 10 a.m. at the NARDOLILLO FUNERAL HOME 1278 Park Avenue, Cranston, RI. Her Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Ann's Church, Cranston Street, Cranston at 11 a.m., followed by entombment in Our Risen Christ Garden Mausoleum, St. Ann Cemetery, Cranston. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-1905.

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