Elena Castelli
Elena Castelli (Cupo), 98, a longtime resident of Stamford, passed away peacefully with her family by her side on Saturday, January 15, 2022. Elena was born in Ausonia, Italy on April 23, 1923. She was the daughter of the late Francesco Cupo and Lucia Cardillo Zallo.
Elena was the eldest of four children and grew up in a small town in Italy on a farm. In 1956 she emigrated to the United States with her husband, eldest daughter and son and resided in Stamford for the rest of her life. In time her family grew to include two additional daughters.
What began as a need for the family to provide for themselves grew into a lifelong passion for gardening which she shared with her husband of over 70 years. She always enjoyed sharing the bounty of garden with family and friends. She also kept chickens and was given the nickname of Nonna Chickens by her first great granddaughter and was affectionately known as such by all of her great grandchildren. Her greatest joy was her family and she loved to share all the Italian traditions and customs that she grew up with.
Elena is survived by her four children, daughter, Antonietta Cappelli of Newtown, son, Ralph Castelli and his wife Lisa of Wilton, daughter, Giovanna Zallo and her husband Antonio of Wilton and daughter, Maryann Catino and her husband Teodoro of Stamford. In addition, she is survived by her nine cherished grandchildren, Philip, Elena, John, Tracy, Rosie, AJ, Erme, Pasquale, Daniella and her precious 16 great-grandchildren with another expected this summer. She is also survived by her sisters Maria Cupo and Giuseppina Cupo and numerous nieces, nephews in Italy.
The family would like to acknowledge the warmth and love that Mom received from her caregiver Lori who cared for her as if she was her own family. We can never thank Lori enough for everything that she did for Mom. We also would like to thank her physical therapist Christian who helped her immensely.
Besides her parents Elena was predeceased by her beloved husband Pasquale Castelli, a son-in-law Angelo Cappelli and a brother Antonio Cupo.
Family and friends may call at the Nicholas F. Cognetta Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Myrtle Ave, Stamford, CT on the morning of Wednesday, January 19, 2022, from 8:30AM to 10:00AM, following the visitation a procession will be leaving the funeral home and proceeding to St. Cecilia’s Church, 1184 Newfield Ave., Stamford, where a Mass will be celebrated at 10:30AM, entombment will follow at St. John Mausoleum, Darien, CT.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in her memory to Regional Hospice at www.RegionalHospiceCT.org, or to The Anthonian Association of the Friends of St. Anthony, 6107 N. Kenmore Avenue, Suite 5, Chicago, IL 60660 (www.saintanthonyofpadua.net).
In compliance with state mandates and the safety of all, please be sure to wear a face covering and maintain social distancing rules while attending all funeral services.
To leave an online condolence please visit www.Cognetta.com