Carmel Teresa Papandrea Tkacz, 99, a life-long Meriden resident, loving wife of the late Joseph Tkacz, passed away on June 12, 2023 at Apple Rehab-Coccomo in Meriden. She was born in Meriden on May 22, 1924, a daughter of the late Salvatore and Immaculata Wodatch Papandrea. Carmel is survived by her son Joseph Tkacz, Jr. and his wife Barbara, daughter Debra Belancik, brother Anthony Papandrea of Berlin, grandchildren, Joseph Tkacz, III (Chrissy White), Tiffany Belancik, Brian Tkacz, and Benjamin Belancik (Laura), great-grandchildren Jocelyn Tkacz, Gracie Rose, and Anna Marie Belancik, and several nieces and nephews. Besides her husband Joseph Sr., she was predeceased by her siblings Grace Chiaro, Rose Benoit, Georgette Papandrea, and Gloria Santerre, and son-in-law Benjamin L. Belancik, Sr. Carmel was an avid homemaker who took care of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She also worked for New Departure in Meriden prior to having children. Carmel's family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to the staff at Apple Rehab-Coccomo for their compassion and care.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, June 14, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. in Our Lady Queen of Angels Parish-Holy Angels Church, 585 Main St., Meriden. Friends may visit with her family from 9:00-10:30 a.m. before the funeral mass, at Beecher & Bennett-Flatow Funeral Home, 48 Cook Ave., Meriden. Entombment will be held in Sacred Heart Mausoleum, Meriden. Memorial contributions in her name may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, www.stjude.org .