- Date Of Death: July 17, 2005
- State: Connecticut
Ellen L. Celentano, 94, of 675 Townsend Ave., New Haven, died peacefully on July 17, 2005 in St. Raphael’s Hospital. Miss Celentano was born in New Haven on March 28, 1911, daughter of the late Francesco and Antoinette DeMartino Celentano. She graduated from Hillhouse High School in 1929 & New Haven Normal School in 1931. She completed additional studies at Albertus Magnus, Yale Music School & the Hartt School of Music. She received her Bachelor of Science & Master’s Degrees from New York University. She was a teacher in the New Haven Public School System for 40 years, from 1935 to 1975. During her career, she taught at Lovell School, Fair Haven Jr. High, Troup Jr. High, Hillhouse & Wilbur Cross High Schools. She taught art, foreign languages, general science & biology. She was assistant and music director of the Summer Playground Schools that presented many historical pageants on the New Haven Green in the summer during the 1950’s & 1960’s. She also assisted as a staff member of the Evening Recreational Schools at Atwater & Trowbridge Centers. She directed Glee Clubs & Ball Room Dancing and produced and directed many musical productions in the New Haven School System. During her years at Hillhouse, she escorted 50 students twice a year to the Metropolitan Opera in conjunction with The Opera Guild. She also worked with The New Haven Lions Club in coordinating musical programs for the Sight Saving Fund involving as many as 1,000 students. She served on the “Harvest Festival Committee” producing elaborate pageants during halftime at the Harvest Festival Football Games in Yale Bowl. She directed both the Hillhouse and Wilbur Cross Bands in numerous parades & concerts. She chaired choral festivals at Woolsey Hall including all area high schools. She was president of the former New Haven Women’s Choral Society, a life member of the New Haven County Retired Teacher’s Association, and a member of St.
