Obituary of Edith L. Casellini

Edith Louise (Lawson) Casellini died peacefully in her sleep at the Manchester Manor in Manchester, Connecticut on May 5, 2025.

   Edith is survived by her brother, Melvyn (Sally) Lawson of Port Townsend, Washington; and sons, John, of Albany, New York, Mark, of Clifton Park, New York, and David, of Tolland, Connecticut. She was the grandmother to seven beloved Casellini grandchildren, Peter (Olivia), of San Diego, California, Laura, of East Greenbush, New York, Ryan and Edith, of Tolland, Connecticut, Joseph and Andrew, of Albany, New York, and Jennifer, of Clifton Park, New York; and mother-in-law to Christine Rutigliano (John), Nancy Casellini (Mark), and Amy Casellini (David).

  Edith was born on Mar. 3, 1936, in Barre, Vermont, to John and Lillian (Halsall) Lawson. She graduated from Spaulding High School, the University of Vermont with degrees in English and Education and then subsequently took classes in Library Science and received a degree in Special Education from the University of St. Joseph’s, Connecticut.

   She married her childhood sweetheart, Lawrence Casellini, on June 21, 1958, shortly after graduation from UVM.

   Edie began her professional career as an educator student teaching in Montpelier, Vermont, but left the profession for many years to raise her three sons.  After the boys were a little older, she returned to school to obtain a graduate degree, and returned to teaching - first as a special educator for hometown Glastonbury High School, then later at Wethersfield High School before completing her career at Vinal Technical High School in Middletown.

  After retiring, she found a way to stay connected to education, volunteering at the Webb Deane Stevens Museum in Wethersfield and giving tours to school groups.

  She had many hobbies – she was an avid gardener, and her flower beds were legendary; and she inherited a love for baking from her Mom, and carried forward the tradition, turning out many varied treats.

  But her true passion was being Grammy to her grandchildren. She loved doting on each of the grandchildren, bringing them on adventures with Larry, spending time alone with them and stoking their educational interests, and spoiling them with gifts and special meals.

  And anyone who ever met Edie knows that her life revolved around books.  She always had a handful on the end table next to her chair, and as an avid speed reader, it was not uncommon for her to read a book a day.  She loved her role as Librarian at the South Glastonbury Public Library and carried forth that passion by serving as the Library Chair at the Arbors in Manchester, her last residence.  Along the way, she was a welcome participant in multiple book groups, and made sure all who didn’t complete the assignment – like husband Larry – knew what the book was all about!

  Edie loved her family and was a devoted mother and wife.  She and Larry first moved from their native Vermont to Hadlyme, Connecticut when Larry took a position at Electric Boat in Groton, and they began their family when John was born the following fall in New London.  When Larry went to Penn State for his graduate degree, they moved to State College, Pennsylvania, and sons Mark and David were born in nearby Bellefonte.  Upon completion of his degree, they returned to New England, settling in South Glastonbury where they lived for the next 23 years.  They spent two years in Roseburg, Oregon while Larry worked on a capstone engineering project before returning to her beloved Glastonbury, to be back east with family and her first grandchild.  After another 22 years in town, they settled in Manchester, where they spent the remainder of their days.

  She was a communicant at St. Luke's Episcopal Church in South Glastonbury, Connecticut, where she had been an active volunteer.

  Calling hours will be held from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm on Thursday, May 15, 2025, at the Mulryan Funeral Home at 725 Hebron Avenue in Glastonbury. Those wishing to attend a memorial service, which is scheduled for Friday, May 16, 2025 at 2:00 pm at St. Luke's Episcopal Church, 915 Main St., in South Glastonbury, should meet at the church. All are welcome to attend to celebrate Edie's life. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the South Glastonbury Public Library. donate

  The family would like to thank the caregivers at the Arbors of Hop Brook for their dedicated care. For online condolences please visit www.mulryanfh.com.