Cristina Pizzoferrato

1925 - 2022

Cristina Pizzoferrato, 96, of Suffield, beloved wife of the late Modesto Pizzoferrato passed away peacefully Wednesday, March 23, 2022, in Suffield, surrounded by her loving family.

Born on Christmas Eve, 1925, in Pratola Peligna, Province of L'Aquila, Italy, she was the daughter of the late Gioacchino and Anna (DiBenedetto) Liberatore. Cristina traveled to the United States at the age of 17 and became a skilled seamstress, living with her uncle and aunt in Fall River, Massachusetts. Soon after, Cristina would meet Modesto, the man who would become her loving husband, at an Italian picnic event. Together, they raised a beautiful family. Cristina was incredibly devoted to her family and showed her unlimited love every day. She enjoyed cooking amazing meals for her family. One often found her kneading her special homemade dough to make pasta, bread, and even Pizzelles. The Pizzelles were made one at a time with a heavy iron over an oven hotplate. She would make dozens at a time for all to enjoy. By day, her husband Modesto worked hard in his garden and at night made fresh homemade wine from their home grown grapes. Both worked as a team providing food for the family with Cristina bottling the wine and canning the vegetables. Cristina's devotion and love of her family was evidenced by her actions every day. Cristina loved her three sisters, Emma, Ivana, and Vilma, her brother, Roberto and her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. When her husband was transferred into a nursing home, battling dementia, Cristina boarded the town commuter van every day and went to be by her husband's side until the last van left at night. Eventually, Cristina herself moved to the Suffield House nursing home where she enjoyed wonderful service from the staff and the unique atrium, beach sand, and singing birds (donated by her grandson Nicholas) just outside her room door. She loved playing bingo and often took home the big prize. Cristina also loved excursions with her family alongside the river, attending family parties, and having dinner at her favorite restaurant Figaro's. She especially looked forward to her Sunday morning casino trips with her children.

Cristina was predeceased by her husband Modesto; her brother Roberto Liberatore; and her sister Ivana Cianfaglione. She leaves behind her two sisters, Emma Petrella and her husband, Ezio of Rochester, New York, and Vilma DiBacco of Rocky Hill; her two daughters, Anna Pizzoferrato of Burlington, and Linda Carberry and her husband, Frank of Mystic; her three sons, Rudy Pizzoferrato and his wife, Wendy of East Windsor, Victor Pizzoferrato and his wife, Donna of Windsor Locks, and Daniel Pizzoferrato of Boca Raton, Florida. Cristina also leaves six loving grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews and extended family members who she loved dearly.

The family will receive relatives and friends 4 to 7 p.m. on Monday, March 28, at the D'Esopo Funeral Chapel, 277 Folly Brook Blvd., Wethersfield. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, March 29, at The Church of The Incarnation, 544 Prospect St. Wethersfield. Everyone is invited to meet directly at the church. Burial will follow at Cedar Hill Cemetery, Hartford.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The Alzheimer's Association of Connecticut, 200 Executive Blvd., Suite 4B, Southington, CT 06489, please include Cristina's name in the memo.

For online condolences or to leave a memory of Cristina, please visit www.desopofuneralchapel.com