With tremendous sadness, we announce the passing of Jacqueline "Jackie" Giusto, our loving grandmother, mother, wife, and friend. Jackie left us on February 6, 2023, at the age of 86, after a battle with heart disease.

Jackie was born to Joseph and Lucy Giuffre in Brooklyn, New York on May 24, 1936.  While born an only child, Jackie was never far from family.  Growing up on 71st street, she spent countless hours with her cousins.  She later forged a sisterly bond with Ermine and Betty that strengthened throughout their lives.  Forever young, Jackie, Betty, and Ermine would abscond to Florida on "spring break" well beyond their school years.

As time passed, Jackie's family would continue to grow.  She met her love, Alfred Giusto, at a church dance in 1956.  They married on July 17, 1959, welcomed three children, and seldom spent a day apart.

A person of diverse and varied talent, Jackie played many roles throughout her life.  She was a dedicated homemaker and library clerk, where she served the community of Lindenhurst, Long Island for over twenty years.  An enthusiastic pianist, Jackie was known for her renditions of "Stardust," a jazz standard she affectionately referred to as her "theme song."  At family gatherings, loved ones often departed Jackie's home with fond memories of her famous manicotti, and never with an empty stomach.  Jackie was also an accomplished artist, fashioning oil paintings of still life's and urban landscapes, many of which depicted her old neighborhood.  Her portrait of a ceramic jug became so popular that friends soon commissioned jugs of their own.

Despite these myriad accomplishments, Jackie's true gift lay in the warmth and humor she imparted to those around her.  Like one of her exquisite paintings, Jackie's greatest virtue was her capacity to imbue life with color. To know Jackie was to laugh deeply, smile freely, dance, croon, wisecrack, tell stories—simply, to have fun.  Each life that touched hers left a richer canvas.

She is survived by her loving husband, Alfred, of Woodbury Connecticut, her son, John of North Carolina, daughter Lucille and son-in-law Jim, of Fairfield Connecticut, son Alfred and daughter-in-law Catherine, of South Portland, Maine, as well as her grandchildren, Justin, Emma, Kevin, and Lucas, all of whom miss her dearly.

Calling hours will be Friday, February 10, 2023, from 2:00pm-4:00pm, at Munson-Lovetere Funeral Home, 2 School St. Woodbury, Connecticut.  The funeral mass will take place at 11:00am on Saturday, February 11, 2023, at Saint Teresa of Avila Catholic Church, 146 Main St. S., Woodbury, Connecticut. Those planning to attend are asked to meet directly at church. Burial will immediately follow at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Watertown, Connecticut.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider a donation to the Alzheimer's Association or the Save The Children Fund.

To leave an online condolence please visit www.munsonloveterefuneralhome.com

Alzheimer's Association National
225 N. Michigan Ave. Floor 17, Chicago IL 60601
Tel: 1-800-272-3900
Web: https://www.alz.org/

Save the Children
500 Kings Highway East Suite 400, Fairfield CT 06825
Tel: 1-800-544-4470
Web: http://www.savethechildren.org/