Obituary of Margaret Bonaiuto

Margaret Bonaiuto, age 95 of Shelton, died peacefully on April 14, 2020 at the Shelton Lakes-Apple Rehab Health Care Center. Born in Bridgeport on May 3, 1924, she was the daughter of the late George and Martha Kasper Pirhala. Ms. Bonaiuto (nick named “Little Marge”, by her father) was raised in Bridgeport and attended Harding High School. In order to help support her family, she went to work at a young age at the former Levett’s Department Store, a job she truly loved. Working within the men’s clothing department, she acquired a keen sense of fashion and would often compliment (or offer her personal advice) gentlemen she came into contact with throughout her life – including her physicians later in life! She then worked in the offices of various Bridgeport factories, including the Bassett Co. prior to her employment as a time keeper for the former Raybestos Co. of Stratford. Ms. Bonaiuto enjoyed a long career at Raybestos, until the time of her retirement in 1994. She was a voracious reader, never without a novel and enjoyed reading the Bible every day. She loved her daily walks and even when her health was failing, she’d dress to the 9’s and walk the corridors of the Shelton Lakes Facility with her roommate. Many people knew Margaret by attending Reclaim Christian Church; but moreover, by her longtime trade mark pink hat, thus earning the moniker, “Little Margie with the Pink Hat”. Her family was her sole priority and she will be long remembered for her special love for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Ms. Bonaiuto is survived by her devoted daughters, Barbara (Gerald) Curulla of RI and Kathleen (Alan) Valenti of Shelton; a sister, Irene Audette of Naugatuck and a brother, Richard (Janet) Pirhala of MO; cherished grandchildren, Donna Bernardo of NJ, Kimberly (Thomas) Persano of Beacon Falls, Donald Fava of Ansonia, Kelly Fava of Shelton, Laura (Daniel) Cummings of Prospect and Joy Ganci of Hebron; great-grandchildren, Jessica, Colin, Leah, Megan, Deanna, Steven, Alisa, Taylor and Dylan; as well as many nieces and nephews. Ms. Bonaiuto was predeceased by a sister, Eleanor Pirhala and by brothers, John, Edward, George, Rudolph, Lawrence, Gordon, Richard and Daniel Pirhala. Private interment will take place in St. John Cemetery, Stratford. Memorial contributions may be made to the Reclaim Christian Church, 11 High Acres Rd, Ansonia, CT 06401. The Wakelee Memorial Funeral Home, 167 Wakelee Avenue, Ansonia is in care of arrangements. Online condolences may be made at www.wakeleememorial.com.