Emelda "Mel" Lion

Emelda "Mel" Lion, 96, of North Haven, CT, formerly of Hamden, CT died peacefully at the Landing, North Haven on Saturday, December 30, 2023. She was the beloved wife of the late John S. Lion. Emelda was born in Waterbury, CT on March 30, 1927, a daughter of the late Alfred and Delina Champagne St. Arnault, and had resided in Hamden for fifty years before moving to North Haven ten years ago. Along with her daughter Jeanne, she owned and operated Dud’s, a vintage clothing store in Hamden for eighteen years. Emelda was extremely creative and beloved by all her met her. She loved gardening, Sinatra, Ray Charles and the B. Willie Smith Band. She is survived by two daughters, Dianne Lion of Cheshire and Jeanne Cavadini and her husband Mike Friscia of North Haven, one sister, Anita Loughrain of Georgia, four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by two sisters, Marianne Guercia and Dianna Maturo, and three brothers, Florien, Fernand and Robert St. Arnault. A Celebration of Life Ceremony will begin at 1:00 p.m. sharp on Sunday, January 21st until 3:00 p.m. at the Washington Memorial Funeral Home, 4 Washington Ave., North Haven. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions in Emelda’s name may be sent to the North Haven Animal Shelter, 89 Mill Rd., North Haven, CT 06473. washingtonmemorialfh.com

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