Verna Lee Carvalho (Tilton), 63, of Mystic, passed unexpectedly Wednesday, October 11, 2017 at L&M Hospital. She was born in Philadelphia, PA on August 22, 1954 to Vernon Tilton and Elizabeth Dillon. She graduated from Fitch Senior High School, class of 1972.
She is survived by her two daughters, Krystal Carvalho of Mystic, and Brittany Carvalho of Stonington; two grandsons Beckett Carvalho and Nolan Appleton; and her brother Kerry Tilton. She was predeceased by her father, Vernon Tilton and her mother, Elizabeth Dillon.
Verna would tell you her biggest accomplishment in life was raising her two daughters. She was an incredibly loving, proud, and dedicated mother, not only to her two girls, but also to several others that she considered her ‘unofficially adopted children’ and loved them fiercely as if they were her own. Verna put everything she had into being a mother and was deeply involved with their extracurricular activites. She could be found volunteering for the PTO, as a Girl Scout Troop leader, a room mother, and attending and assisting with countless school musical productions and sporting events. In addition to being an amazing mother, Verna took immense pride in her recently gained title of Nana. The love she had for her two grandsons was beyond compare.
Verna will be remembered for her creativity and the way she made the ordinary extraordinary. She loved to cook and decorate, especially for the holidays, and always made sure they were special. As an avid football fan, this included Super Bowl Sunday. She had deep passion for art, music and theatre. After graduation, she performed with Eugene O’Neill Theater Center and operated her personal art business Designs by Verna. Her love for animals was prominent through her entire life, but cats specifically had a special place in her heart. She also loved to garden and it wasn’t unusual for visitors to her home to leave with a vegetable or two. Verna’s loving and giving soul and wonderful sense of humor will be missed by many.
She is survived by her beloved daughters, Krystal Carvalho of Mystic and Brittany Carvalho of Stonington, and two grandsons..
Her family will greet relatives and friends on Tuesday, October 17, from 5 to 7:00pm at the Dinoto Funeral Home, 17 Pearl Street, Mystic. A Funeral Service will immediately follow at 7:00pm at the funeral home. Burial will be private for the family.
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