Obituary of Diana Kamis

Diana Margaret (Repoli) Kamis, 83, of South Glastonbury, beloved and devoted wife of the late Edward Kamis, died February 22, 2013, in Hartford. Diana was born in Hartford, August 4, 1929, daughter of the late Nicholas Repoli and Mary Pinto. She grew up in East Hartford and attended St. Mary's School and East Hartford High School. Diana married Ed in 1950 and later moved to Glastonbury where she devoted her life to supporting her husband and raising their three children. She was an active partner in the creation of several small businesses among them a gourmet food and gift shop, a travel agency and interior decorating business. She partnered with Ed to own and operate The Parson's Daughter. She was a driving force behind its success, it being rated as one of the finest restaurants in central Connecticut in its time. Diana was a great lover of the world's natural beauty. She became a serious student of the arts, particularly painting, dedicating much effort to developing her skills as a watercolor artist. In 2005, she was honored by her acceptance into the Connecticut Watercolor Society. A communicant of Saint Augustine's Roman Catholic Church, she faithfully attended mass. Diana was an exceptional mother and grandmother, affectionately known by her family as Ballou. She was a loyal friend and gracious and hostess, always opening her home and her heart. She is survived by her son Edward Jr. and his wife Julie, daughter Joanne Preli and her husband Michael, son Michael and his wife Joanna all of South Glastonbury, granddaughters Meredith, Julia, Margo and Sophie, brother Francis Repoli of Glastonbury, sister Rose Brown of East Hampton, and brother Donald Repoli of Andover. She is predeceased by her sister Theresa Rizzo of Torrington. The family wishes to express special appreciation for the efforts and comfort offered by Dr. Mark Dailey, the staff at Hartford Hospital Conklin 2, VNA Hospice and the Hartford Hospital Palliative Care Team. Diana's life will be celebrated with a Mass of Christian Burial on Thursday (February 28, 2013) at 10:30 a.m. in Saint Augustine's Roman Catholic Church, 55 Hopewell Road, South Glastonbury. Burial will be at the convenience of the family. There are no calling hours. The family requests in lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be sent to the House of Bread, 1453 Main Street, Hartford CT, 06102.