Georgine         Tulipani

Georgine Tulipani, devoted wife of J. Robert (Bob) Tulipani of Cherry Lane, Ridgefield, died April 3 at Danbury Hospital.

Mrs Tulipani is survived by her three loving daughters, Lori Carriero and her husband, Joe, of Newtown, Kathy Tulipani of Exeter, N.H., and Mary Beth Nemire and her husband, Randy, of Fountain Hills, Ariz. She also has two grandchildren, Doug and Angela Carriero. She also is survived by a sister, Myrna Kahlo of Tonto Hills, Ariz., and a brother, George Rickus, Jr, of Houston.

Mrs Tulipani was born in Norwalk, February 2, 1938, daughter of the late George and Jean Rickus. She attended Wilton elementary schools and graduated from Laurelton High School. She then graduated from Regis College in Weston, Mass. Mrs Tulipani and three of her close classmates then volunteered in Regis’ Lay Apostolate Program and opened a parochial school in Midland, Texas. Following that, she taught in the Wilton school system.

A devout Catholic, she taught in St Mary’s Religious Education Program. She was also a eucharistic minister. Along with Carmella Legan, she co-chaired St Mary’s Prayer Chain for many years and for 12 years was a member of the Julian Sisters, a Christian women’s group. She also collected toys for the needy children of Bridgeport for her friend, George Fasolo, who was director of the Cardinal Shehan Center. She attended Mass daily until she had to give up driving because of her MS, a disease she had for more than 30 years and met with a circle of friends to pray for others. She was an inspiration to all because of her devotion to family and friends.

Mrs Tulipani was complete unselfish, always willing to believe in the best in everyone, tried to help whenever possible, and was always willing to listen at any time of the day.

Despite her MS, she always had a positive attitude, taking comfort in her faith in God. Throughout her marriage, she constantly put her children and husband first, worrying more about them than her own physical limitations.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on April 6 in St Mary’s Church, Ridgefield.

Burial followed in St Mary’s Cemetery.

Donations to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, 1 Selleck Street, Norwalk CT 06855; Archdiocese of Hartford Office of Radio & Television, Channel 20, 15 Peach Orchard Road, Prospect CT 06712; or the Regional Hospice of Western Connecticut, 405 Main Street, Danbury CT 06810 would be greatly appreciated.

The Newtown Bee        April 8, 2005