Maria Bartlett - Obituary

aria Elena Milesi Bartlett (Age 89) On Monday, July 27, 2009; the beloved Italian wife of retired U.S. Air Force Sergeant, Deane H. Bartlett, who preceded her in death in 2000. Born on July 2, 1920, Maria Elena was sent by her parents to study at a Catholic convent in Paris. She and her twin brother were taken by the Nazis along with the other students and nuns to a concentration camp at the outset of World War II. She miraculously survived and was returned by American soldiers to her family in Modena Italy at the end of the war. She emigrated to the United States in her 20's, first working at the Italian Embassy and then moving to Elizabeth Arden, where she became known as the lively Italian manicurist who sang opera while she worked on the hands and feet of Washington celebrities for more than 40 years. Her clients included socialites, first ladies, and the wives of heads of state from around the world. A Washington Star article from 1986 reported that, at the urging of Joy Baker, wife of Senator Howard Baker, Maria Elena recruited the great opera star Luciano Pavarotti to sing at the annual Fords Theater Gala, reminding him of their mutual hometown connection of Modena, Italy. Maria Elena was fluent in five languages and at home in any social setting. She is survived by two brothers, Pietro and Mathew who reside in Switzerland and Italy. Relatives and friends are invited to Maria Elena's Life Celebration at Carroll Manor, 1150 Varnum Street, N.E., Washington, DC 20017 on Thursday, August 27, 2009 from 10:30 am until Mass of Christian Burial at 11am. Interment Arlington National Cemetery on Wednesday, September 2, 2009 at 2pm. Please sign the guestbook at: www.KalasFuneralHomes.com