Arline Cretella, 94, of North Haven, beloved wife of the late Salvatore Cretella, entered into eternal rest on January 2, 2020. She was born in New Haven on May 9, 1925, daughter of the late Joseph and Caroline Stanio. She was predeceased by her brother, Alfred Stanio, and her sisters Elmira Lombardo and Bernice Christoforo. She is survived by her niece Lynda Parmelee and her husband Scott, her nephew Ronald Christoforo and his wife MaryLee, and her great niece, Michele Christoforo. Arline’s passion in life was music. She attended the Juilliard School of Music. She was a member of The Experimental Theater in New York City and was a soloist for The London Opera Company. Arline was President of both The Piano’s Teacher Association and The Senior St. Ambrose Music Club. For over thirty years she was a private piano and vocal teacher in North Haven and Hamden. She was also the organist and vocalist for the Blessed Sacrament Church in Hamden. Arline was a member and chorister of St. Therese Church in North Haven.
At the request of the deceased, there will be no calling hours and interment will be private and at the conveniences of the family. In memory of Arline, always see life with the cup half full and also take a moment to reflect on your favorite song. The North Haven Funeral Home, 36 Washington Avenue have been entrusted with the arrangements.
When I was a young girl, Ms. Cretella was my piano instructor for 8 years. I am 71 now. Ms. Cretella was an excellent teacher, and I learned a lot about music, passion, and discipline from her. She was patient and kind. I still have several pixie statuettes that she awarded for learning certain pieces, pixie pieces as she called them. I just wanted to write and express my appreciation for the gift she gave me. I had tried several times to locate her, but could not remember her given name. Today, it came to me, but too late. Bless you, Ms. Cretella. I will always remember you.
Ms Cretella was my sister’s and my paino teacher.
I remember doing the pixie pieces. As well as song of the Volga boatmen. I can still play it on the piano. I don’t know why that very early peace still sticks in my mind. She was patient and kind. My sister was more interested than I in piano and she understood that. I think I was in second or third grade when she started teaching us. I still remember her. God bless her family and may they know that she is loved and remembered.