Colette L. Markowich

Colette L. Markowich, 85, formerly of Harwinton, passed with dignity Sunday evening February 7, 2021, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s. She was the beloved wife of the late Frederick Markowich who passed in 2019.

Colette was born in Waterbury on February 5, 1936 the daughter of the late Carl and Lina (Sandulli) Gemino. After Fred’s retirement in 1990, he and Colette owned and operated Frankies Restaurant and Merry Maides. Colette also loved working at Plainville Optical. She attended the former St. John’s Episcopal Church in Bristol.

Colette adored her family and loved her yearly summer vacations to Eastham, Cape Cod where they met what was to be lifelong friends, the Bruno Family. Summer trips also included visits to Saratoga where Colette had this amazing ability to pick winning horses simply by their name or color silks. Rambler St. in Bristol was their first and favorite home from 1961 to 1987. Special thanks to those wonderful Rambler Neighbors, The Brenner’s, Adam’s Lagoss, Ronzello’s, Hoods and many more.

Colette is survived by her children Richard Markowich (Jeanine), Lisa Rigney (Robert) and Fred Markowich (Trish); 7 grandchildren, Ana and Dito Markowich, Ryan and Meghan Rigney and Colin, Brenden and Ian Markowich; brother Carl Gemino (June) and sisters Carol Caulfield and Barbara Kane.

We would like to thank Randy Phillips and his loving staff at Arden Courts of Avon as well as Kris Cosgrove for guiding us with love through this horrible disease.

Services for Colette will be held at a time when it is comfortable to gather with family and friends. Memorial contributions may be made to Alzheimer’s Association, 200 Executive Blvd S #4b, Southington, CT 06489 (www.alz.org/ct) O’Brien Funeral Home, 24 Lincoln Ave., Forestville/Bristol has charge of the arrangements. To leave an online message of condolence, share a memory or a photo, please visit Colette’s tribute page at www.OBrien-FuneralHome.com.

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