Mildred R. Cogliandro

Erminia Cogliandro
Erminia (Mildred/ "Millie") Cogliandro, née Rizzi of Riverside, Connecticut, died on May 29, 2025, having celebrated her 100th birthday with family and friends in July of 2024. Mildred was predeceased by her husband, Dominick J. Cogliandro, after a marriage of 62 years. She was also predeceased by her brothers, Nicola Rizzi, Vincent Rizzi, and Eugene Rizzi, and sisters, Maria Grazia Tornatore, Raquel ("Lena") Cocchia, Vincenza Balducci, and Felicia Stramandinoli, who she loved dearly. Mildred was born in Minturno, Italy, in 1924, and emigrated to the United States through Ellis Island in 1929. The family settled in Stamford, CT. Mildred was known for her creativity with plants, gardening, and gorgeous craft work. Her favorite way to spend an afternoon was to walk through her garden, admiring the many flowers, weeding, and picking vegetables. Mildred loved to travel with her husband and was privileged to visit numerous countries throughout the world, Italy being her favorite destination.
Following her husband's death, Mildred found a special community of friends at Hill House in Riverside, CT, where she lived for the past nine years. She was involved in many special projects and activities during her time there. She dedicated herself to support of the Ronald McDonald House in New Haven, CT, by collecting can tabs from everyone she knew and delivering them to New Haven twice a year. She also found great joy in mentoring middle school and high school students and in making unique floral pins for each Hill House resident during the Covid pandemic. Mildred's spunk, love of family, humor, and zest for life, even as she declined in her own well-being, inspired all who knew her.
Mildred is survived by her daughter, Lisa Cogliandro and Lisa's spouse, Amanda Zuretti; her son, John Cogliandro and his spouse, Maureen; four dearly loved grandchildren, Abigail and Daniel Cogliandro, Kyle and Ryan Gildea; two great-grandchildren, Benjamin and Max Gildea; and many nieces and nephews.
Mildred's funeral will be celebrated at St. Catherine of Siena Church, 4 Riverside Ave., Riverside, CT, at 10:00 a.m. on June 19th, followed by burial at St. Mary's Cemetery, 399 North St., Greenwich, CT.
In lieu of flowers, please feel free to make a donation to Ronald McDonald House, 860 Howard Ave., New Haven, CT 06519, or to Smile Train, PO Box 96231, Washington, DC 20090-6231.