Christel Truglia
February 16, 1936 — July 13, 2025
Christel Heidemann Truglia entered eternal rest on July 13, 2025. Her family and friends surrounded her with love in her final days. With her brilliant blue eyes and exuberant smile, Christel welcomed all into her world of warmth until the end.
Christel leaves behind a legacy of kindness and generosity of spirit to her surviving family: her sisters Marlies Rich and Annemarie Clark, her daughter Sallyanne Truglia, her grandchildren Stephen (Rachel) Serafino, Victoria (Jason) Timmerman, Miranda Carbajal, Josh Carbajal, Anthony Truglia III, and Haley Truglia, as well as two much loved and cherished great-grandchildren Jaxson Timmerman, and Jayson Timmerman. Also, surviving are her daughter-in-law Michelle Truglia and son-in-law Adam Carbajal, dozens of treasured nieces and nephews and their growing families.
She was predeceased by her husband Anthony Truglia, her son Anthony Truglia Jr, her daughter Penny Truglia Carbajal, her grandson Ralph “RJ” Serafino III as well as her brother Paul Heidemann and sister Hilde Brown.
Because it was her nature to include and accept everyone, she became an honorary grandmother and auntie to generations of children.
With a five-page, single-spaced resume of accomplishments, awards and accolades, she was most proud of her work on behalf of children and affordable housing. For decades, Christel worked alongside her husband in Hartford as he served as a State Representative and State Senator. She was so instrumental to Tony’s work that she was given her own cubicle in the old LOB. After Tony’s untimely death, she was elected in her own right to the 145th District in the Connecticut State Legislature. She was often called the “conscious of the legislature” and could charm the Appropriations Committee out of the necessary funds for her worthwhile causes. She may have been quiet and adverse to public speaking, but few had the heart to say no to her requests when she worked behind the scenes. She retired in 2008 after serving her constituents for twenty years.
Among her many acts of generosity, in 1996, Christel founded the Truglia Thumbelina Fund (a donor-advised fund of the Fairfield County Community Foundation) to meet the small but important needs of Stamford’s children when no other funding source was available. She also co-founded a toy closet in 2005 called "David's Treasure Tree Toy Closet" (in memory of David Kanarek who died of leukemia at a young age) for children who visit and receive care at Stamford Hospital.
As we while celebrate Christel’s remarkable life and mourn our loss, we wish to thank the caregivers at Benchmark Assisted Living, Harmony In-home Care, Stamford Hospital and the Fairfield County Hospice House.
Memorial gifts may be considered for the Truglia Thumbelina Fund c/o the Fairfield County Community Foundation, 40 Richards Avenue, Norwalk CT, Project Music https://www.projectmusic.org/donate, or Our Lady of Grace Preschool, 635 Glenbrook Road, Stamford, CT
Per Christel’s wishes, there will be no calling hours. A mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:00 AM on Monday, July 21st at St. Clement R.C. Church, 535 Fairfield Avenue, in Stamford. The interment will be private.
Christel leaves behind a legacy of kindness and generosity of spirit to her surviving family: her sisters Marlies Rich and Annemarie Clark, her daughter Sallyanne Truglia, her grandchildren Stephen (Rachel) Serafino, Victoria (Jason) Timmerman, Miranda Carbajal, Josh Carbajal, Anthony Truglia III, and Haley Truglia, as well as two much loved and cherished great-grandchildren Jaxson Timmerman, and Jayson Timmerman. Also, surviving are her daughter-in-law Michelle Truglia and son-in-law Adam Carbajal, dozens of treasured nieces and nephews and their growing families.
She was predeceased by her husband Anthony Truglia, her son Anthony Truglia Jr, her daughter Penny Truglia Carbajal, her grandson Ralph “RJ” Serafino III as well as her brother Paul Heidemann and sister Hilde Brown.
Because it was her nature to include and accept everyone, she became an honorary grandmother and auntie to generations of children.
With a five-page, single-spaced resume of accomplishments, awards and accolades, she was most proud of her work on behalf of children and affordable housing. For decades, Christel worked alongside her husband in Hartford as he served as a State Representative and State Senator. She was so instrumental to Tony’s work that she was given her own cubicle in the old LOB. After Tony’s untimely death, she was elected in her own right to the 145th District in the Connecticut State Legislature. She was often called the “conscious of the legislature” and could charm the Appropriations Committee out of the necessary funds for her worthwhile causes. She may have been quiet and adverse to public speaking, but few had the heart to say no to her requests when she worked behind the scenes. She retired in 2008 after serving her constituents for twenty years.
Among her many acts of generosity, in 1996, Christel founded the Truglia Thumbelina Fund (a donor-advised fund of the Fairfield County Community Foundation) to meet the small but important needs of Stamford’s children when no other funding source was available. She also co-founded a toy closet in 2005 called "David's Treasure Tree Toy Closet" (in memory of David Kanarek who died of leukemia at a young age) for children who visit and receive care at Stamford Hospital.
As we while celebrate Christel’s remarkable life and mourn our loss, we wish to thank the caregivers at Benchmark Assisted Living, Harmony In-home Care, Stamford Hospital and the Fairfield County Hospice House.
Memorial gifts may be considered for the Truglia Thumbelina Fund c/o the Fairfield County Community Foundation, 40 Richards Avenue, Norwalk CT, Project Music https://www.projectmusic.org/donate, or Our Lady of Grace Preschool, 635 Glenbrook Road, Stamford, CT
Per Christel’s wishes, there will be no calling hours. A mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:00 AM on Monday, July 21st at St. Clement R.C. Church, 535 Fairfield Avenue, in Stamford. The interment will be private.
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