Claudia E. Sortito

Claudia Labagnara Sortito, 89, of North Haven passed away peacefully, October 7, 2025. She was the wife of the late William F. Sortito. Claudia was born in New Haven November 4, 1935, a daughter of the late Eugene A. and Margaret Affinito Labagnara. After graduating from Hamden High School in 1954, Claudia began her career as a bookkeeper in the auditing department of Sears Roebuck and Co. and Charles Scranton Co. of New Haven. She retired from Bayer Pharmaceuticals as a machine operator.
Claudia loved to bake and cook for her friends and family, especially her famous Ham Pies at Easter, cherry nut Christmas cakes, and her made from scratch soups. She was known for meticulously wrapping up and hand delivering her baked goods to all who knew her "just because". Adored for her generous heart, and the ability to make others feel so loved is what brought her the most joy.
Hands of gold, unmatched talents, her hand knitted "Peapods by Claudia" garments that she showcased at local church bazaars brought her so much happiness to donate all her proceeds to her beloved charity of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
She loved traveling to Europe, trips to NYC for Broadway plays, the casino, Saratoga Springs, Las Vegas, Cape Cod and Ogunquit, Maine to name a few.
She is the beloved mother of Laurine (late Mark) Candido. Mother of Michael Sortito and grandmother to Michael Andrew and Marisa Lynn. Sister of Diane (Nate) Menchetti and the late Laurine (late Angelo) Vitale, Anthony (Madeline) and Eugene (Carole) Labagnara. Claudia is also survived by several nieces, nephews and dear, sweet friends.
Claudia's family wishes to thank the wonderful, loving staff at The Landing of North Haven where she loved every day enjoying herself with all the friends she made there.
Visiting hours will be held Monday morning from 8:15-10:15am in the Iovanne Funeral Home, Inc., 11 Wooster Place, New Haven. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in St. Benedict of Nursia Parish at Church of the Resurrection, 115 Pond Hill Road, Wallingford at 11:00am. Entombment will follow in All Saints Mausoleum in North Haven. At Claudia's request kindly make memorial contributions to St. Jude’s Children's Research at stjude.org.