Sylvia Minickene

1941 - 2013

MINICKENE, SYLVIA (SARTORI) Sylvia Agnes Joan Sartori Minickene passed away peacefully in the early morning on November 28, 2013 as her daughter Laureen Minickene Coppolelli was telling her stories and holding her hand. Sylvia was an amazing woman, mom, grandmother, aunt, sister and friend. She radiated a beauty, kindness, compassion and grace we were all lucky to have known. Born in Cincinnati on August 2, 1941 to Angelo John Sartori and Mary Vicino Sartori, she moved to Brooklyn, NY in her early years, Queens, NY in her teens, and moved her family to Portland, CT where she lived with her family and lifelong friends for over 35 years. Sylvia went from being a full-time mother of three to working part-time at Draghi’s Orchards in South Glastonbury to working as a newsroom clerk and writing her own cooking column called Sylvia’s Kitchen at the Hartford Courant in Middletown for over 20 years (although many of her co-workers said she was and did much more than that). She retired over 6 years ago and made the most out of every day she could with her family and close friends. Although she traveled some and vacationed a little, she was most happy in life when she could sit across the table from you, break bread (gluten-free), have a cup of coffee and talk. Lunches with the very best of friends, holidays surrounded by her immediate and extended families, or even a Del’s lemon ice at Beavertail in Jamestown, RI, she treasured every moment with all the people she loved so dearly. Sylvia was predeceased by her father Angelo Sartori, and is survived by her mother, Mary Sartori, 99 of Port Jefferson, NY, sister Joan Sartori Longinotti and her husband Robert of Southampton, NY, ex-husband Gennaro Minickene of Venice, FL, daughter Laureen and son-in-law Mark and grandson Brandon Coppolelli, son John and daughter-in-law Melissa and granddaughters Faith and Eve Minickene, son Buzz and daughter-in-law Alessandra and granddaughters Samantha and Nola Minickene. Her angels on earth were her grandchildren and she lived, loved and cherished every minute with them. Sylvia had many great friends and extended families, but her touchstone throughout life was and always will be Patricia Kracunas of Cromwell, CT. Our entire family would like to sincerely thank the entire Middlesex Hospital 7th floor Nursing, Administrative, Volunteers, Palliative and Hospice staff. There aren’t words we know to describe in our hearts how thankful we are to have had our mother being taken care of by you. You are truly, collectively, incredible people that held us at our toughest moments when we needed it the most. Her Funeral Liturgy will be held Thursday (Dec. 5th) at 10 a.m. at St. Francis of Assisi Church, Elm St., Middletown. Friends may call at Biega Funeral Home, 3 Silver St., Middletown on Wednesday (Dec. 4th) from 5 to 8 p.m. All who have known Sylvia, whether it be 5 minutes or 50 years, she affected so many of us and all are welcome to attend and celebrate her life. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Middlesex Hospital 7th floor Hospice/Palliative care, c/o Sylvia Minickene. She would’ve wanted to help families and friends like hers in their time of need.