| Notes |
- Connecticut Post, October 27, 2017
Mary Ellen Salvaggio (1931 ? 2017) (Picture included)
Apr. 28, 1931 ? Oct. 17, 2017
Mary Ellen "Meg" Gregory Bassett Salvaggio, daughter of the late Carl and Mary Katherine (Strickland) Gregory, died peacefully in her sleep October 17, 2017 in Fairfield, Connecticut. She was dearly loved by family and friends and known for her bright smile, infectious laughter and a genuine warmth toward all she met. She was predeceased by her beloved husband, Salvatore "Bucky" Salvaggio, and in her last years lived at 2400 North Ave. in Bridgeport, Connecticut.
Meg had an amazing life. She grew up on a tobacco farm in Eastern North Carolina, then earned a voice scholarship to Baylor University in Waco, Texas, which opened the door to a world of opportunity. A talented mezzo soprano, Meg studied opera with Glenn Ross, manager of the Seattle Opera company, and voice with her father-in-law, Willard Bassett, president of the LA Conservatory of Music (which is now Cal Arts). A soloist and church organist, Meg was actively involved in musical performance up until the late 1970s. Although a talented musician, Meg's true passion was politics. A life-long Democrat, she played a high-level role on Lyndon Baines Johnson's Florida presidential campaign, was campaign manager for Mario Cuomo during his first run for Lieutenant Governor in New York, was a co-campaign manager for the Jimmy Carter presidential Connecticut campaign and an active Democratic party leader, organizer and volunteer in Daytona Beach, FL, Queens, NY, Fairfield, CT, and Bridgeport, CT. Meg also had a passion for social justice. In the early 1960s, she was an active Civil Rights worker and led initiatives in Central Florida to desegregate schools. She also played a key role establishing the Head Start programs in Volusia County, Florida.
Meg is survived by her children: Glenna Bassett Musante of Raleigh, NC, Glenn Bassett and his wife Therese of Scottsdale, AZ, JoAnn Wirth of Shelton, CT and Lucille Piccirillo of Bridgeport. She is also survived by beloved grandchildren: Michelle Musante, Jordan Bassett, Bridget Piccirillo and Jason Piccirillo, great-grandchildren: Christian Mauro, Lia Mauro and Gennaro Piccirillo, a brother, Ralph Noel Gregory and wife Nancy of Chico, CA, a sister-in-law, Lenora Gregory of Hillsborough, NC, and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
Friends may call on Saturday, October 28, 2017 from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. in the Parente-Lauro Funeral Home, 559 Washington Ave., Bridgeport. A prayer service will take place at 1:00 p.m. in the funeral home. Interment will be private at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to St. Patrick Church, 170 Thompson St., Bridgeport, CT 06604, in memory of Meg.
|
Bassett Family Association Database
1931 - 2017 (86 years)
d. 26 Oct 2016 (Age 85 years)