Ruth Eleanor Mozzi

Ruth Eleanor (Talbot, Feczko) Mozzi, age 88, of Stratford, beloved wife of the late Paul Mario Mozzi, died Sunday, January 3, 2016, with family by her side, at St. Vincent's Medical Center in Bridgeport, following a brief but courageous battle with cancer. Born in Stratford on January 6, 1927, she was the daughter of the late Milton M. and Elizabeth T. (Laufer) Talbot. She spent her first six years on her grandfather's farm in the Lordship section of Stratford, and later moved to Bridgeport, where she resided for several years, until moving back to Stratford in 1977. Eleanor (her preferred name) attended Central High School in Bridgeport, and studied voice professionally with Catherine Russell in Bridgeport. A strong soprano, her love of music was known to all who knew and loved her. During her studies, in the 1940s, she often sang duets that were broadcast on radio stations in the Bridgeport area. Later, she was a member of her church choirs, and was a lead soprano in her church cantata, A Song Unending, at Calvary Evangelical Free Church, in Trumbull, that was recorded as an album. In the 1970s, she was a member of the Fairfield Community Chorus for a number of years, and lovingly sang solo at her daughter's wedding. In later years she attended the Unitarian Universalist Church in Stratford, for a time, and also bible study at The United Congregational Church in Bridgeport. Employed by companies in New Haven and Bridgeport, in later years, Eleanor was employed by Fairfield University, first as an Executive Secretary to the Vice President of Finance, and prior to retirement, as Executive Secretary for the Director of Guidance, at Fairfield College Preparatory School, in Fairfield, CT. She was a long-time member of the Bridgeport Community Historical Society, and also volunteered for several years at the Baldwin Center in Stratford. Until her recent illness, Eleanor volunteered her time in the library at Wesley Heights Village in Shelton, and as its main volunteer, initiated many positive changes to strengthen the library. She bonded with many in that community who used the library. Eleanor was predeceased by her brother, Robert L. Talbot, her husband, Paul M. Mozzi, her first husband, Julius J. Feczko, and a step-daughter, Janice D. (Mozzi) Jelley. She is survived by her devoted children, Linda Feczko and her husband Jonathan Roper of New Haven, her son, Joseph Feczko of Stratford; her step-children, Leonard Mozzi and his wife Helen, of Indianapolis; Douglas Mozzi and his spouse, Ari Abu Bakar of New Westminster, B.C.; her grandchildren, Anthony Mozzi of New York City; Olivia Mozzi of Indianapolis; Sara Jelley of Wailuku, HI; and Caroline Jelley of Boulder, CO. She is also survived by step-grandchildren, Pheydra Schworm of Austin TX, John Roper and his wife Zandra of Sammamish, WA; Ward Roper and his wife, Hoi-Yee, and their three children, Sen, Ted, and Lawrence Roper of Surbiton, England; as well as several special nieces, nephews and cousins. We will miss her incredible joy of music, and the beautiful music of her soul. The Spear-Miller Funeral home, 39 South Benson Road, Fairfield are in charge of arrangements and friends and family are invited to call there Saturday, January 9, 2016, from 10 a.m. to noon, at which time a service of remembrance will take place, with the Rev. Susan Pfeil officiating. Immediately following the service, interment will take place at Mountain Grove Cemetery in Bridgeport. Donations in Eleanor's memory may be made to the American Cancer Society. To offer an online condolence, visit www.spearmillerfuneralhome.com.