Obituary of Kelly Marie Fava

It is with a sad and heavy heart that I must announce the passing of my beautiful daughter and best friend, Kelly Marie Fava (53), who went to be with the Lord Jesus on December 24, 2021.

Her years long courageous battle with the pain from Fibromyalgia and Sacoidosis is over.
She was well known to all for her kind and loving soul. She was a caring and devoted friend who would be there for anyone in need, be a shoulder to cry on, or give advice for pets. She could also be the silly and funny Kelly who had a beautiful singing voice and a great booming laugh.

Her dream came true when she was given a horse named Babe (a registered thoroughbred formally named A Lot of Kick, and a descendant of Northern Dancer), a beautiful two-year-old right off the racetrack from New York State. She had Babe for 22 years and worked incredibly hard feeding and mucking stalls to earn the money necessary to make Babe’s life wonderful. This led Kelly to the career she loved the most, taking care of horses. She was a manager at her dear friend Cathy Murphy’s horse barn for many years, and they became very close - she was Aunt Cathy to her. Kelly was also a dog trainer and walker while taking care of horses. She loved all of them as if they were her own.

Kelly is survived by her fur babies Gigi and Bart who lacked for nothing in life. She knew that she was so blessed to have them.

Kelly is also survived by her Mom Kathleen Valenti, stepfather Alan Valenti and her Father Donald Fava of Florida. Her loving sisters Donna Campbell Bernardo (niece and nephew Jessica and Colin Tuck), Kim Fava Persano (brother-in-law Tommy and niece Leah - Kelly’s “Pumpkin”). Tommy taught Kelly how to change her own engine oil and to diagnose engine noises, so she proudly called herself a “gear head”. 

Kelly also leaves behind her sister-in-law Timea Fava (nieces Megan and Deanna Fava). As Kelly had no children of her own, her nieces and nephew were treasured. But having Donnie’s family, including Timea, Megan and Deanna live at the family home for ten years, caused an exceptional bond to form between these youngest nieces who considered Kelly their very special Auntie.

Kelly is also survived by her Auntie Barbara Curulla, with whom she was very close (Uncle Jerry), Kelly’s loving Uncles whom she cherished - Michael Bernardo (Brenda), Frankie Bernardo and John Bernardo, and many cousins to treasure their memories of her.

Kelly was predeceased by her brother Donnie Fava last year.

Funeral services will take place on Sunday, January 23, 2022 at 4:30 PM in the Wakelee Memorial Funeral Home, 167 Wakelee Avenue, Ansonia.  Family and friends may call at the funeral home on Sunday from 2:00 to 4:30 PM, prior to the service.  Online condolences may be made at www.wakeleememorial.com.