Mary Lagala Collura, 89, of New Haven, formerly of the Bronx, New York, passed away peacefully on March 28, 2017 at The Connecticut Hospice, Branford with her family by her side. She was the wife of the late Vincent Frank Collura. Mary was born in New Rochelle, N.Y. on Aug. 23, 1927, daughter of the late Joseph and Gina Rose Ruscio Lagala. She worked for several family owned businesses in New York. She was a fun loving person who was the life of the party with young and old. Her greatest gift was taking care of everyone around her. She loved the holidays and entertaining. Mary is survived by her son, Richard (Linda) Collura of the Bronx and Utah; her daughter, Lisa (Richard) Galella of New Haven; one brother, Thomas (Marge) Lagala of Eastchester, N.Y.; two granddaughters, Alexandra Collura and Lianne Galella; one great grandchild, Noah Moore; and several nieces & nephews who loved her dearly. She was predeceased by a sister, Emily Schultz.

A special thanks to home care aides, Veronica Palvo and Evelyn Levias, her doctors at Yale New Haven Hospital and also, for the wonderful care she received at Branford Hills and CT Hospice in her final days.

Friends may call at The Celentano Funeral Home, 424 Elm St. (cor. Dwight) New Haven Saturday morning from 10:00 to 11:45 am and are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Bernadette’s Church , 385 Townsend Ave., New Haven at 12:30 pm. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to CT. Hospice, 100 Double Beach Rd., Branford, CT 06405 or to St. Jude Children’s  Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN. 38105.