Obituary of Nella T. Crugnola

NELLA CRUGNOLA, age 92, a resident of the Rydal Park Retirement Community in Jenkintown, PA and a former resident of Stamford, CT died on June 28, 2013. Nella Tonetti Crugnola was born in a Lower Manhattan, coldwater flat on April 22nd 1921 to Joseph and Albina Tonetti. As a child Nella, enjoyed reading, going to the movies and spending time with her younger sister, Bianca, who was her best friend throughout her lifetime. Nella attended George Washington High School in Manhattan after which she attended Hunter College on a full scholarship, graduating in 1941 with a Master's Degree in Library Science. Nella's first job was in the New York Public Library for one and a half years. In 1944, and for the next eight years, Nella worked for The Cooper Union Library where she met and later married her husband, Eugene Crugnola. Gene died in 2008. In 1957, Nella and Eugene moved out of the city to the beautiful "countryside" of Stamford Connecticut, with their two young children, David and Lisa. After her children were old enough, in 1958, Nella went back to work part-time at the Ferguson Library in downtown Stamford. Nella was offered the position of Director of the Turn of River Branch Library in 1967 where she served for seven years. In 1974, Nella returned to the Ferguson after being appointed Director of Public Services and Assistant Director of the Library. After a long and happy career, at the age of 66, Nella retired from her position at the Ferguson to enjoy playing bridge as often as possible and traveling with her husband Gene. Nella was an avid art enthusiast visiting galleries all over the world as well as volunteering as a docent for the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. She was likewise able to enjoy the endeavors of her husband who was an artist and daughter who currently works as a professional artist. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Lisa Crugnola and Craig Pritcher of Philadelphia Pa.; son and daughter-in-law, David and Wenny Crugnola of Jericho, New York and her grandson William Crugnola also of Jericho. Services will be private. Memorial contributions may be sent to American Cancer Society , P.O. Box 22718, Oklahoma City, OK 73123-1718 ( www.cancer.org/donate)