Isolda Y. ''Isy'' Schaller

Today we lost a remarkable woman but heaven gained an amazing angel.
Isolda Yolanda (Urbanetti) Schaller, 88, a lifelong resident of Manchester, wife of the late William R. Schaller passed away on Tuesday, March 27, 2018 at Hartford Hospital. She was born on December 4, 1929 in Manchester one of three daughters of the late Peter and Esther (Pagani) Urbanetti who came from Milgnal Sabina, Italy. Isolda attended local schools and was a graduate of Manchester High School. She was the first Italian American Woman in town to go to college, she earned her Bachelor's Degree in Education from CT Teacher College and later completed her Masters at Hillyer College. Isolda was passionate about learning, she taught 2nd grade at Verplank School in Manchester and later at IEA in West Hartford. She was the Vice President of the Womans Auxiliary at IEA and the PTA at Bentley School in Manchester. When she retired from teaching she became a Librarian at Mary Cheney Library where her passion for reading impacted the lives of many. Isolda was a devout Roman Catholic, she was a longtime Communicant of St. Bridget Church in Manchester and St. Johns Church in Old Saybrook. We were blessed to have her in our lives. She was an incredible woman, mother, gram, nonna and friend. She was passionate about life and people. She spent her time traveling, dancing, listening to music, reading, playing cards, and solving the daily crossword puzzles. She was very competitive and nothing made her happier than when she saw people around her succeed. She spent the summers with the family in Old Saybrook CT, where she was "gram" to the entire community. She opened her home to everyone and always went out of her way to help others anyway she could. You never had to wonder what gram was thinking, she spoke her mind passionately and frequently to any and all visitors. You would inevitably give up the sun, sand, and surf to spend hours talking to her at the kitchen table about your passions, goals, and dreams. She was never in short supply of stories or advice, if you were within ear shot then you were fair game. She touched so many people's souls and impacted so many lives. Once you met gram you became part of the "extended family", and you were grateful for it. She is survived by her two sisters; Sylvia Shane of Lady Lake, FL and Elaine Barile of Manchester, her two children; her son and caregiver William R. Schaller Jr. of Manchester with whom she made her home and her loving daughter Lisa (Bombaci) Nisula and her husband Richard of Manchester, three grandchildren of whom she was very proud; Jessica Connor and her husband Ryan and their two children; Isolda and Robert all of East Hartford, Jonathan Bombaci and his wife Kristine of Tyngsboro, MA and Jared Bombaci and his fianc Alyssa Merrill of Enfield, , several nieces, nephews, her adopted son Joseph Lea, her life-long friend Rome Bernier, and the many many wonderful friends and neighbors whom she added to the family over the years. Calling hours will be held at Holmes-Watkins Funeral Home, 400 Main St. in Manchester on Saturday, March 31, 2018 from 3pm - 6pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, April 2, 2017 at 11am at St. Bridget Church, 80 Main St. in Manchester. Everyone is asked to please go directly to the church. Burial will follow in St. James Cemetery, Manchester. Memorial contributions may be made to the Intensive Education Academy, 840 North Main St. West Hartford, CT 06118 or to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital. To leave an online condolence please visit www.holmeswatkins.com

Visitation DetailsSaturday, March 31st, 2018 3:00pm - 6:00pm, Holmes-Watkins Funeral Home
Service DetailsMonday, April 2nd, 2018 11:00am, St. Bridget Church
Interment DetailsMonday, April 2nd, 2018 12:00pm, St. James Cemetery