Mary-Lou DiVicino

Mary-Lou DiVicino, 88, of Wallingford, passed away on Wednesday, December 10, 2025 at Midstate Medical Center. She was born in Hartford on December 15, 1936 to the late Augustine and Mary (Tozzoli) Guardiani.
Mary-Lou dedicated her married life to raising her family, always putting their needs first, while also working nights for several years to help support her household. Her strength and love were evident in everything she did.
She was a woman of many talents and a very creative person. She had a wonderful sense of humor and lived life keeping Jesus in her heart always. A gifted artist, crafter, and poet, Mary-Lou studied ballet and took great joy in sharing her love of the arts by teaching dance and art classes. She wrote many poems in her life time.
Eventually, she followed her passion for caring for children by opening her own daycare. Mary-Lou truly loved children, and for many years she treated every child in her care as if they were her own. She enriched their days with music, art, and creativity, leaving a lasting impression on countless young lives. She retired at the age of 70.
In retirement, Mary-Lou continued to do what she loved most-painting, crafting, writing poetry and creating from the comfort of her home. Her creativity, kindness, and nurturing spirit will be remembered by all who knew her.
She is survived by her children, Diana Poplawski and her husband, Michael of Meriden, Lorraine Christian and her husband, Joseph of East Hampton, Andrew DiVicino of Berlin and Lawrence DiVicino of Wallingford; her daughter-in-law, Susan Stone of Durham; her grandchildren, Ericka (Kevin) Kalinowski, Stephanie (Richard) Basister, Brian Poplawski, Richard (Jess) Stone, Nicole (Matt) DiVicino Renninghoff, Lauren (Paul) Christian Mandel, Ryan (Kayla) Christian, Troy Christian, Amanda DiVicino and Angela DiVicino; and her great-grandchildren, Natalie, Madison, Ava, Liliana, Luella, Dionte, Sonny and George; as well as many nieces, nephews, extended family members and beloved friends. She was predeceased by her son, Michael DiVicino; her granddaughter, Michelle; and her siblings, Lawrence Guardiani and Elaine Guardiani.
Her family will receive relatives and friends in The Wallingford Funeral Home, 809 North Main Street Ext., on Thursday, December 18th from 4:00 – 6:00pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, December 19th directly at St. Joseph Church, 22 Goodwill Ave., Meriden at 11:00am followed by interment in St. John Cemetery, Wallingford.