Francisco Ivan Parra, 54, of Elmsford, NY, passed away from a subarachnoid hemorrhage on September 27, 2023. Francisco was born on November 19, 1968, to Florentino Parra and Delia Corro in Pimientillo, Nayarit, Mexico. He often spoke fondly of his love for his home country and was proud of his heritage. In his early 20s, Francisco boldly decided to come to the United States, where he pursued his very own version of the American Dream. It was here he developed his love of the Yankees, baseball, and American music, such as Frank Sinatra, Elvis, Rod Stewart, George Harrison, Bananarama, Johnny Cash, and Bob Dylan.
Francisco was a longtime resident of New York, and he embraced the Empire State as his new home. It was here where Francisco often enjoyed sightseeing and eating at the state’s best Mexican cuisine restaurants. After living in the U.S. for a few years, Francisco started his landscaping business in Westchester County. He spent over 30 years working on lawn care for his devoted clients and developed life-long friendships with many of them.
Francisco went on to have two children, Cecilia “Cece” Parra and Ivan Parra. In addition to his children, he is also survived by his young granddaughter, Evelyn Moore. Francisco is also survived by his siblings, Gabriel Parra, Victor Parra, Paul Parra, Cecilia Parra, Aurora Parra, Jairo Parra, and Daisy Parra.
Francisco was a remarkable father and grandfather. He was a loving human with the biggest heart, allowing him to love others deeply with every fiber of his being. He enjoyed making others laugh and smile with his jovial personality. He will always be remembered lovingly in the hearts of his family, clients, and friends.
Services will be held at Nicholas Cognetta Funeral Home on October 4, 2023, from 4 – 8 PM. Francisco’s children invite all family, friends, and clients to come and say their last goodbyes to our beloved father.

Marianna Pauline Amato, 91, of Ridgefield, and a former resident of Stamford, passed away peacefully on Sunday, September 17, 2023.

She was born in Stamford on April 28, 1932 to the late Joseph and Theresa (Umile) Ferrero. Marianna was an accomplished dancer on roller skates and graduated from Stamford High School in 1950. She also played softball for the Rose Buds and was fondly known as one of their “outstanding players.” Shortly upon her graduation, Marianna was engaged to her high school sweetheart, Louis, and they married in 1951. Marianna attended modeling school at Grace Downs Models, Inc. in New York City and was called for her first assignment when she found out she was pregnant with her first daughter, Nancy. Her second daughter, MaryLou, was born two years later, completing their family of four. She enjoyed living in Stamford surrounded by her extended family before moving to Ridgefield in 1964.

Marianna was a bank teller at Union Trust Bank where she worked for 26 years before retiring in 1994 to become a full time grandmother.

Her real joy in life was spending time with her family especially her daughters, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She enjoyed watching her grandchildren grow up and she would attend every sporting and school event that she was able. Her grandsons affectionately called her “Mema,” which was her favorite name to answer to. Her grandchildren fondly remember trips with her to Marcus Dairy for milkshakes and banana splits, spending holidays with her and her delicious baking including butterfly cookies, cheesecake, struffoli and her famous stuffed artichokes. She passed on her love of knitting, playing the piano and feeding a crowd to her daughters and grandchildren. She would light up when holding a baby, snuggling a beloved family pet or getting an unexpected visit from a grandchild.

Marianna enjoyed dining out, visiting the casino and playing cards, especially rummy cube. She had a knack for making everyone feel welcome and part of the family. She loved to drink “orangeade,” fry up a zucchini flower, and spoil her grandchildren.

Marianna overcame many obstacles and health challenges in her life and she was an inspiration to the end.

The family would like to express their profound gratitude to Candlewood Valley Health & Rehabilitation Center for their exceptional and loving care of Marianna over the last few months. They also would like to extend their appreciation to RVNAhealth for their kindness and contribution to her comfort.

Marianna was predeceased by her parents, her loving husband of 28 years Louis Albert Amato and her brother and sister in law, Louis and Marion Ferrero.

She is survived by her loving daughters, Nancy Valine and her husband Rick of Warren, CT, and MaryLou Volpe and her husband Richard of Sturbridge, MA; her grandchildren: Jessica Baker and her husband Christian, David Valine, Christopher Valine and Amanda Volpe; her two great grandchildren, Norah Baker and Jack Baker and several cousins, nieces and nephews.

A mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Saint Mary of Stamford Parish 566 Elm Street Stamford at 10:00 AM on Friday, September 29, 2023. Interment will follow at St. John’s Cemetery in Darien. There will be no calling hours.

To leave condolences, please visit www.cognetta.com.

Alexandra “Sandie” DeLeo peacefully returned home to her Lord on September 16th, 2023 with her daughters by her side.
She is predeceased by her parents Paul and Margaret Tirpack, brother Paul Tirpack Jr. and fiancée Tony Olive. She is survived by her children Craig Boutin, Lisa DeLeo, and Tina Carlucci and grandchildren Kaylin & Cody Boutin and Mason Carlucci.
She was a loving, compassionate and generous friend, mother, and grandmother who shared her optimism and encouragement. Wherever Sandie went, she brought love and joy with her.
Sandie was a devout and active Catholic. At St Mary’s Parish she was a member of the Ladies Guild. At St. Benedict’s Parish she was Parish Council & Ladies Guild President, a member of the Entertainment committee and served as a Eucharistic Minister.
At St. Maurice Parish she was active in the Social Activities Committee, Prayer Shawl Ministry, The Liturgy Group, the Choir, Walking with Purpose Bible Study, The Stations of the Cross Ministry and served as a Eucharistic Minister. At St. Bridget’s Parish she was a member of The Ladies Guild and The Chaplet of the Divine Mercy Group.
She had a servant’s heart and volunteered for organizations including The Special Olympics, Kids Our Future tutoring, The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Give2TheTroops, the Disabled Veterans and Susan G. Komen Race for a Cure.
She was a graduate of Sacred Heart University and the Education for Parish Services. Her career included working as a Purchasing Specialist for Pitney Bowes in Stamford and for Morgan Stanley Wealth Management in Westport. She is a member of the Alpha Sigma Lambda Honor Society.
Sandie excelled at staying true to her God and her family. She deeply loved her family and friends unconditionally and knew exactly how to make you feel appreciated, supported, loved, and inspired whether it was by listening without judgment, giving kind advice, keeping you in her prayers, sharing a delicious meal, giving you the perfect gift, or just being silly together. She was the kind of personal cheerleader everyone needs at some point in their life. She made you believe there was nothing you couldn’t achieve and that you deserved all the rewards.
Her boundless heart, generosity, optimism and commitment to gratitude, selfless service, kindness, and grace lives on as our inspiration. She will live on in every beat of all our hearts.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, September 30th, 2023 at 10:00 am at St. Maurice RC Church, 358 Glenbrook Road, Stamford, CT. Calling hours will be for one hour starting at 9:00 AM before the Mass at the Church. Interment will be at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Sandie’s memory to St. Maurice RC Church CAPITAL EXPENSE FUND and mailed to: St. Maurice RC Church, 358 Glenbrook Road, Stamford, CT 06906.
To leave online condolences, please visit www.cognetta.com

Aurora Cantella, 92, of Riverside, CT passed away on September 6, 2023 at Greenwich Hospital. She was born in Greenwich on December 20, 1930 to the late Joseph and Angelina Ceci.
Funeral services are private.

Vites Conetta, 95, of Stamford passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on September 8,
2023. She was born in Stamford on November 11, 1927, and was one of six daughters born to the late
Vito and Mary Sabato Gerardi.

Vites was a social butterfly who knew everyone and could make conversation with anyone. She loved
people and surrounded herself with her sisters, family and friends. Always an active member of her
community, Vites was a crossing guard for Hoyt/Northeast School on High Ridge Road and a familiar
face at the polls. Filled with boundless energy, she spent more than 20 years greeting and chatting
with customers of the F.W. Woolworth’s, keeping up with all the happenings of Stamford from her
post in the cafe. 

Dressed to the nines, she and Pete loved to go to dinner with friends and family, always running into
folks they knew around town. An avid bowler herself, Vites was her sons’ and grandchildren’s biggest
sports fan, always on the sidelines watching them play basketball, baseball, softball, and tennis. She
enjoyed the simple things in life – a hot cup of coffee, catching up with a friend while riding the bus,
and a chocolatey dessert at the end of the day. One of the friendliest people you could ever meet,
Vites’ outgoing and vibrant spirit is greatly missed. 

Vites is survived by her loving son, Dennis Conetta and his wife, M’Liss, her daughter-in-law, Lynn
Conetta, and her grandchildren, Kevin, Kaitlin, Jen (Tommy), Casey, Chris and Dennis, as well as her
great-grandchildren, Margot and Peter. She is also survived by her sister, Anna Arena of Florida and
many nieces and nephews.

Vites was preceded in death by her husband of 71 years, Peter S. Conetta. Vites was also predeceased
by her son, Peter M. Conetta, and her sisters, Josephine (Josie) Ippolito, Mildred (Mickey) Ursone,
Donata (Nettie) Messina, and Roslin Gerardi.

A Mass of Christian burial will take place at Sacred Heart R.C. Church on Wednesday, September 13 at
10:30 AM.  Friends and family may call at the Nicholas F. Cognetta Funeral Home & Crematory, 104
Myrtle Avenue, Stamford on the evening of Tuesday, September 12 from 5:00-8:00 PM.  The interment
will be held privately.

A special thank you to her “Angels” and caregivers, Monica Rosales and Monica Osei Addo, and to all
those who have cared for her over the years, including the caregivers from VITAS Hospice and Jewish
Family Services of Fairfield County. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in memory of Vites to the Boys and Girls
Club of Stamford at www.bgcastamford.org/donate or Person to Person at www.p2phelps.org.
To leave online condolences, please visit www.cognetta.com