SISTER MADELINE FOLLACHIO of the Sisters of Mercy, Northeast Community, died Sunday (September 14, 2014) in West Hartford. One of eight children, Sister was born in Waterbury on February 25, 1920 to the late Anthony and Anna (Colangelo) Follachio. She attended both Sacred Heart Grammar and High Schools and at the age of 18 on June 27, 1938 she entered the Sisters of Mercy , professing her vows three years later. This year Sister celebrated 76 years of religious life! She was the first in her family to earn a college diploma which was from the then St. Joseph College in West Hartford and went on to graduate study at Fairfield and Sacred Heart Universities. Sister Madeline taught junior and high school students in many schools throughout the state, but her greatest joy were her years at Academy of Our Lady of Mercy, Lauralton Hall in Milford where she ministered as Dean of Students for 14 years. In 2003 she was awarded the Claven Award from Lauralton, an honor bestowed to women who have “led extraordinary lives, excelled in their choice of fields and made significant impact on Lauralton Hall”. In pre-retirement, Sister served as a Para-Professional in Compensatory Education for the Milford Board of Education tutoring middle and secondary students. She retired in 1999 but continued active ministry tutoring under the Milford Literacy Center with assignments at Bic Corporation where she taught English as a Second Language. Throughout retirement Sister kept in touch with students and colleagues and always maintained an interest in people and the world around her, particularly women’s and other justice issues. A life-long learner, she was a voracious reader and enjoyed travel. This past November, Sister was honored by Sacred Heart High School in Waterbury with the Rev. John Meaney Community Impact Award. As proud as she was with this honor, she was prouder of her family whom she loved dearly. Sister Madeline is predeceased by 6 siblings, Raymond Follachio, Gilda Diorio, Rose Mannello, Albert Follachio, Eva Canale and Olga Follachio. She is survived by her sister Mary Melchiore, many nieces and nephews, grand- and great-grand nieces and nephews; her long-time friends Sister Patricia Rooney and Sister Elizabeth Travers, and her Sisters of Mercy community. A Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated in the St. Mary Home Chapel, 2021 Albany Ave., West Hartford on Thursday at 6:00PM. This will be preceded by a wake from 2:00-5:00PM. Burial will be in St. Mary Cemetery on Friday at 9:00AM. Those wishing to make a donation in memory of Sister Madeline are asked to consider the Sisters of Mercy, c/o 55 East Cedar St., Newington 06111.