Obituary of Romilda Zambelli

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Romilda Zambelli, 96, on July 28, 2018.
Romilda, who was known as “Nonna” to many friends, relatives and neighbors, is survived by her daughters Marinella Totino and Loretta Zambelli (Noe Polo), her grandchildren Alessandro Polo (Monica Galazzo), Sergio Polo, Angela Totino (Scott Epstein) and Louis Totino (Kate), and her cherished great-grandchildren, Filippo, Giulio, Noelle, Emilia, Caitlin and Thomas Joseph.
Romilda was born in The Free State of Fiume on May 31, 1922 to Emilia and Giulio Calderara. It was there that she met and married her love, Raul, with whom she created a beautiful family and planned to spend life in their beloved city overlooking the Adriatic Sea. To avoid a communist regime, however, they emigrated as refugees to northern Italy, and ultimately to the United States, where Romilda worked tirelessly but happily for years so that her children and grandchildren could have the education, opportunities and freedoms she dreamed of.
Romilda raised not just her daughters but her grandchildren Angela and Louis with a strong work ethic, an unparalleled love for family and a fierce spirit filled with honesty, happiness, presence and appreciation for all that truly matters.
She was the proud matriarch of an adoring family, which includes lifelong friends from across the globe. Romilda was one of a kind and inspired all those who met her with a simple but confident wisdom rarely seen in people today. She will be missed everyday by those who loved her deeply and are better people for their exposure to her kindness, valor, humor, joy and example of a life well lived.

Reposing Sunday, July 29 from 2 to 5 PM and 7 to 9 PM at Marine Park Funeral Home, 3024 Quentin Road, Brooklyn, NY.

Funeral Mass will be held 9:45 AM on Monday, July 30 at Good Shepherd R.C. Church, 1950 Batchelder Street, Brooklyn, NY.

Committal Service to follow at the Crest-View Mausoleum in Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY.

In lieu of flowers a donation can be made in Romilda's memory to:

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

501 St Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105 , 1-800-822-6344,

St. Jude Donation Link- Please Click Here

Please see SERVICE INFORMATION for specific details and directions.

Please take advantage of the condolence tab if you are unable to attend or merely wish to express your love and grief over Romilda's passing.