Micki "Nista" Panaroni

Micki (Michelina) Panaroni, a longtime resident of West Haven, CT passed away peacefully on August 14, 2025. She was born in New Haven on November 4, 1943 to the late Joseph and Mafalda Nista. Micki married her beloved husband, John Panaroni in 1987, and together they spent 38 loving years together, whether it was traveling the United States in their RV, or spending quality time with family and friends. Micki graduated in 1963 from Eli Whitney Technical School in Hamden and went onto work at McKesson and Robbins Company. She later worked in her brother's business, Thruway Pharmacy, in West Haven as a Pharmacist Assistant. It was there that she not only met (and had countless laughs with) friends, but met the love of her life, John. Micki was a fun loving, and kindhearted soul who brought joy and happiness to the many lives she touched throughout her journey. If she knew when your birthday was, you were sure to get a card in the mail. She loved to travel and visited in the lower 48 states with her husband John and once ventured to Europe with her niece, Angela. Micki loved tennis and in her early years, would go to any tennis event she could and would proudly display the photos of the famous players she met and watched. She was also an avid UCONN Women's Basketball Fan. It can be said that any family member could hear her two-towns over, screaming at the TV encouraging them to win. Micki in the true spirit of Italian heritage was an amazing cook and collector of cookbooks as well as any recipe she could clip out of the newspaper. As the saying goes, "food is love" and Micki shared that love with whoever she could. She was also an avid sewer and was passionate about taking a piece of material and making it into a curtain, bib, or new tablecloth. She will always be remembered her true signature dessert, the New York style cheesecake. Many have said that it was the best they ever had, and many have said that despite having the recipe, they cannot repeat her masterpiece. In addition to her husband John, Micki leaves behind her twin brother Ralph and sister-in-law Carol Nista of New Haven. She was predeceased by her brother and sister-in-law, Angelo and Alexine Nista of West Haven. Although Micki did not have any children of her own, she was in every sense of the word like a second mother and grandmother to her niece and nephews and their children. Micki leaves behind her niece Angela (Kevin) McNabola of Orange and nephews Ralph Nista of New Haven and Joseph (Lisa) Nista of Monroe. Micki also always cherished the moments and enjoyed watching and spending time with her great niece Caroline and great nephews John McNabola, Michael and Parker Nista. The hours for visitation will take place on Sunday August 17 from 4 to 7 pm at the West Haven Funeral Home. On Monday morning a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. John Vianney Church at 9:30am followed by burial at St. Lawrence Cemetery. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Micki (Nista) Panaroni, please visit our floral store.