Trumbull Bids Farewell to Ann Marie Tarinelli

Ann Marie Tarinelli is at rest, after years of working for the homeless of Bridgeport.

The Trumbull resident, who started serving food to the homeless under the John Street viaduct and eventually turned it into the "Treasure Bistro" non-profit, died Jan. 11 of an illness at St. Vincent's Medical Center.

Her funeral mass at St. Theresa Church opened with "Amazing Grace." Her work with the homeless has also been called "amazing."

The Rev. Brian Gannon said Tarinelli had a "very beautiful soul."

"We gather here in the name of love, Ann Marie's love of everyone," he said.

When it comes to self-giving, "love can take on an incredible power," Gannon said, adding that "the works stay with us while she goes to the hands of the Lord."

"She loved them with a heart fueled by the love of Jesus Christ," Gannon continued. "Ann Marie chose to give of her heart to the poor."

She was buried at St. Michael Cemetery.

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In 2012, First Selectman Tim Herbst honored Tarinelli for her work. She had to cut back her service when she injured her hip but battled back and returned to the John Street viaduct.

Over the years, her work drew a following and volunteers spent Sundays as Tarinelli did in Bridgeport.

Earlier this week Herbst praised Tarinelli. "She was a true testament to the fundamental principle that one person can make a difference," he said.

The world could be a better place "if we could do a tenth" of Tarinelli's work, Herbst said.

Several Trumbull Patch users also praised her, as did Facebook user Patti Steeves:

"I met Ann Marie three years ago at John St underpass. I've noticed that with the other volunteers that would bring stuff down to give out....giving out what they had to those that would swarm them...there would be those of us that would hang back...not quite ready to ask for help, but yet needing it desperately. Ann Marie would seek out those people, and ask what they NEED...she would do all she could to be sure to get it to you.
There are those that would proudly boast of serving the homeless...Ann Marie would make the noise necessary to get the goods to bring to the homeless...but there are a lot of people that Ann Marie would help, quietly without the fanfare, for she did live Christ's words of doing for others in his name in secret. Especially when it came to the Loaves and the Fish.
I was blessed with her friendship, because we had love for our beloved pets. Her family of Maltese dogs were her life. As my dogs are to me. She often had me over at her home to break bread. I will miss her greatly."