SHIRLEY GIANOTTI

GIANOTTI, SHIRLEY Wallingford: Shirley Gianotti, 90, died at home on Monday, January 26, 2015 with her family by her side, following a long illness. She was a life long resident of her beloved Town of Wallingford. She was the daughter of the late Cesare and Jennie Bergonzi. Shirley was the widow of the late Ernest Gianotti and was the sister of the late Charles King and John Bergonzi. She and her husband Ernie were well known for the Gianotti Riding Stables business that they ran in East Wallingford for many years. It was a family affair with their daughters helping out with pony rides and horse back trails that were a popular attraction for many local families, especially in the summer months. Shirley was the dedicated Animal Control Officer for the Town of Wallingford for 21 years before retiring in 1995. She was first appointed by the late Mayor Carini, then served with Mayor Vumbaco and finally with Mayor Dickinson’s administration until her retirement. She raised thousands of dollars with annual tag sales to benefit and improve the Dog Pound. Her devotion to the job and the town she was proud to serve is still being talked about many years later. She was a National Business Woman of the Year in 1978, won a Woman in Leadership Award in 1990, won the Citizen of the Year, as well as the Local Rotary Award. In 1995 the Wallingford Dog Pound was named the Shirley Gianotti Animal Shelter to honor her many years of service. Shirley is survived by her daughters, Louise Czaja and her husband Louis of Wallingford, Paula Chatary and her husband Michael R. of Port Charlotte, FL., and Jeni Gianotti and her husband Charles Fascia of Wallingford; her grandson, Michael E. Chatary and his wife Tina of Wallingford; her great grandchildren, Cody Mehrhoff and Michael Chatary; as well as several nieces and nephews. Her family will receive relatives and friends in The Wallingford Funeral Home, 809 N. Main St. Ext., Wallingford, on Friday, January 30th from 3-7 p.m. Funeral services will be held Saturday at 9 a.m. from the funeral home when the funeral cortege will proceed to the Church of the Resurrection, 115 Pond Hill Rd, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. Interment in St. John Cemetery will be private. In lieu of flowers, gifts in Shirley’s memory may be sent to the Shirley Gianotti Animal Shelter Trust Fund, c/o Animal Control, 45 South Main St., Wallingford 06492, or the charity of one’s choice. www.wallingfordfh.com