Louise Donnarumma

The family of Louise Donnarumma announces that she passed to eternal life on August 11, 2018, at Southbury, Connecticut.  Louise was born on November 15, 1920 in Waterbury, Connecticut, daughter of the late Michael and Edith (Basile) Giordano. She was the wife of the late Carmen F. Donnarumma.

Daughter of immigrant parents, Louise grew up in the heavily Italian neighborhood of Summer Street in Waterbury.  During her youth, Louise, as the eldest of three, was tasked with the care of an elderly aunt who was confined to their home. The close relationship with Zia Carolina brought to Louise the beauty and intricacy of the Italian language, both spoken and written.   For generations,  Louise readily composed correspondence for Italians here who relied upon her for contact with family abroad.

Driven by her family’s immigrant energy, she pursued the American Dream.  Following graduation from Wilby High School, she served for ten years as administrative assistant to the president at a notable Waterbury manufacturer.  Life was altered when Louise met a young academic, her beloved Carmen. They soon married and created a family in Waterbury.

In the swirling life of mother, her role as a faculty wife at Fairfield University, and in Saint Margaret’s Catholic Church Parish, Louise was a peaceful and receptive counselor.  Whether helping her children navigate life’s hazards and pleasures or mediating conflicts among neighbors, she engaged without judgment and with acceptance of each person’s genuine self. Her manner led to healing, acceptance and joy for many. 

Following her husband’s passing, Louise resided at River Glen Health Center for five years.  She brought, and received, genuine friendship to many.  Each evening, she ritually received nurses and staff for long talks about their lives, their children and the pressures of life.  The talks were welcomed moments for the dedicated caregivers and Louise absorbed their pains and offered hope in her reassuring gaze and words.

Louise was adored by her late husband, Carmen.  Her sister, Marie Chiucarello, and her brother, Michael Giordano, each deceased, were delights to her and shared laughs and happiness for years together.

Her greatest passion was for her children and grandchildren, including her daughter Mary Donnarumma Sharnick and her husband Wayne of Beacon Falls; her son Michael Donnarumma and his wife Ellen (Weiss) and grandchildren George of Cheshire and Erin of Chicago; her  daughter Teresa Wasil and her husband Edward and grandchildren Emily and Ethan of Columbia, Maryland; and, her son Francis Donnarumma and his wife Maureen (Lindberg) of Woodbury and grandchildren Alessandra of New York, Egon and wife Sara O’Rourke of Washington, DC, Caroline and husband Matthew South of Woodbury, and Colin of New York.  In her final year, Louise was blessed with her great grandson, Cashen South, and the knowledge that he will soon be joined by her next great one.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Saint Teresa Church of Prince of Peace Parish,  146 Main Street South, Woodbury, Connecticut on Saturday, August 18 at 9:30 AM.   Burial will follow at New North Cemetery at 87 Washington Avenue, Woodbury.   Calling hours will be at Munson-Lovetere Funeral Home,  2 School Street, Woodbury on Friday, August 17 from 5:00 pm through 7:30 pm. To leave an online condolence for the family please visit www.munsonloveterefuneralhome.com

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