Yolanda (Yola) Carmel Merola 92, of Branford, formerly of North Haven, passed away peacefully on Thursday, March 15th at the Elim Park Health Care Center in Cheshire with her family by her side. Yolanda was born in New Haven on November 15, 1925 and was the daughter of the late Frank and Rose Ricciardo Bellelo.  Yolanda worked for many years as a seamstress at the former Gant and Sero Shirt Factories and later for Action Embroidery all in New Haven.  She was an active member of the Hamden Italian American Independent Club, and was president of the club’s Women’s Auxiliary as well as the first woman to be selected to receive the Annual Meritorious Award.  In her early days, Yolanda was a member of a competitive bowling league that met weekly.  She was also an excellent cook. She had a passion for both cooking and baking, preparing many holiday feasts for family and friends. Yolanda is survived by daughter Donna (Robert) Wilson, and son Blair (Patricia) Merola, her beloved grandchildren, Justin Ross (Kristina) Merola, Sarah Blair Wilson, Benjamin James Wilson, and precious great grandchild, Theodore James Merola.  She was preceded in death by her husband and love of her life, Blair H. Merola, Sr.; two brothers Carl (Jennie) Bellelo, Frank (Peggy) Bellelo, and three sisters, Florence (Salvatore) Conte, Antoinette (Thomas) Vece and Christine (John) Raucci.   The family would like to extend gratitude to the kind aides, nurses and staff at Elim Park, as well as Masonic Hospice for support in her final days.

Family and friends are invited to go directly to St. Barnabas Church, 44 Washington Avenue, North Haven on Friday morning, March 23rd at 10:00 to attend a Mass of Christian burial and are also invited to attend the committal service immediately following in All Saints Cemetery. There will be no visiting hours.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Yolanda’s name to the American Heart Association, 5 Brookside Drive, Wallingford, CT  06492.