Angelina DeFazio

Angelina "Anna Bella" DeFazio (Scalzo), 85, wife of the late Vincenzo DeFazio, died peacefully on Wednesday, January 4th at Saint Mary Home, Mercy Community Healthcare, in West Hartford, CT.

Angelina was born on January 29, 1926 in Green River, Utah where her father had come to America to work for the Rio Grande Railroad Company (a story that she shared with everyone she met). She moved back to her native country of Italy at the age of 2 where she was raised in San Bernardo, Calabria, Italy. She is the daughter of the late Antonio Scalzo and Maria Marasco Scalzo. In November 1955 Angelina immigrated to the United States with her sisters and settled in Danbury, CT where she worked at Pride Cleaners and American Radionics. In 1960 Angelina returned to Italy where she married Vincenzo, her husband of 55 years. They returned to Danbury, CT where they made their home and raised their family.

A devout Catholic and deeply spiritual woman, Angelina lived a life of complete selflessness, humility and abundant love. Not a person could walk-by her front porch or through her front door without being offered Espresso and the home cooked meal of the day, made with the fruits and vegetables from her garden or the fresh eggs from her chicken Lucy. She would even make sure that at least once a week, the ducks, geese and deer of Rogers Park and Lake Kenosha in Danbury had a good meal of her homemade Italian bread. On Sundays she could always be found with Vincenzo under the shade of their homemade pergola, which was draped in grapevines, listening to Italian music; welcoming all to share in a glass of homemade wine, pasta and lively discussion. In October 2009, Angelina moved to Canton, CT with Vincenzo, where she spent the last years of her life sharing her love and traditions with her family, creating countless memories that will be cherished forever. Angelina was a member of St. Peter's Church in Danbury, Ct.

Angelina is survived by her son Angelo, and daughter-in-law, Michelle, of Canton; daughters Maria of Pembroke, NH, and Antonella, and her husband, Gerardo, Panza of Medford, MA. Seven grandchildren: Calabria, Santino and Donatella DeFazio, Dylan DeFazio-Speak, Feliciana, Gaetano and Gianluca Panza. Her sister Marietta Scalzo Notaro of Danbury, CT. Angelina was predeceased by sisters Feliciana Scalzo Notaro and Rosina Scalzo Morello, both of Danbury, CT.

On behalf of Angelina, the DeFazio family would like to express their gratitude and appreciation to Sylvia for her compassionate and gentile care of Angelina, and the Nursing and Hospice teams of Saint Marys Home and Masonicare Hospice.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, January 9, 2012 at 10:30 am at St. Peters Church, 104 Main Street, Danbury, CT, 06810. Burial will follow in St. Peter's Cemetery, 73 Lake Avenue Ext, Danbury, CT, 06810. There will be no calling hours. Arrangements by Green Funeral Home, 57 Main St., Danbury, CT.