Christine Cingari

Christine “Chris” Battaglia Cingari, a beloved mother, Nana, and friend to everyone she ever met, passed away peacefully on March 23, 2026, surrounded by her loving family. She was 93 years old. Born on May 27, 1932, in Boston, Massachusetts, Chris lived a life defined by warmth, generosity, laughter, and an unshakable devotion to the people around her.

Chris grew up in the neighborhoods of Roxbury and Dorchester in Boston, the daughter of the late Louis and Grace Battaglia, both of whom had roots in Sulmona, Abruzzi, Italy — a heritage she cherished with great pride throughout her entire life. She attended Jeremiah E. Burke High School and went on to study at Burdett College, both in Boston.

A talented and dedicated professional, Chris’s favorite role was as executive secretary at Dickie-Raymond Advertising Inc. in Boston — a job she loved and spoke of with tremendous enthusiasm for the rest of her life. After moving to Connecticut in 1956, she held a variety of administrative positions, including at the Norwalk Board of Education, John Garrison Real Estate in Stamford, and the Stamford Judicial District Court as a court reporter. Her deepest calling, however, was as a devoted wife and mother.

Chris was a force of nature — a woman with a larger-than-life personality who loved life, loved to laugh, and drew people to her like a magnet. She was the Martha Stewart of her era: every occasion was an opportunity to decorate the house, prepare spectacular food, and stay up late laughing with the people she loved. She hosted Christmas Day every year and welcomed family and friends every Sunday in the summer for cookouts by the pool.

Her passions were many: cooking and trying new recipes, sewing, crocheting, painting ceramics, and crafting of every kind. But above all, she was renowned for her handmade wreaths — creations that graced every season and holiday throughout the year, from Christmas and Easter to Halloween and the Fourth of July. When she noticed that St. Mary's Church in Stamford could use some refreshing, she donated her handmade wreaths without hesitation and felt deeply honored each Christmas to see them hanging there. Chris took such pride in her decorating talents that she passed her spirit on to her daughter Karen, who carries on her mother's passions to this day — making "That House on Sanford Lane" a must-see attraction for all who pass by throughout the year.

As an avid bargain hunter, she loved tag sales and consignment shops, always finding treasures she could transform with her creative touch. She was also an accomplished gardener — so knowledgeable about plants and landscaping that her daughter affectionately called her the family’s “Landscape Architect.”

A proud and active member of St. Mary’s Church in Stamford, Chris was a devoted member of the St. Mary’s Rosary Society and volunteered for many years with both the Darien Lions Club and at her parish, where she delighted in working the Baked Goods booth at the annual St. Mary’s Family Fair. She was a generous neighbor and community member — sending her famous healing soups to anyone who was sick, driving family and friends to appointments, and offering wise counsel to those seeking guidance in business, health, and life.

Chris loved to travel and went everywhere — from cruises to Alaska and the Caribbean, to weekend getaways in Canada, and always back home to Boston to visit family. A highlight of her life was a 1999 trip to Italy with Father Futie, the St. Mary’s choir, and fellow parishioners. The non-singing group was affectionately nicknamed “The Cheerleaders” by Ogden Booker for their boundless enthusiasm. The trip culminated in a deeply moving visit to Sulmona, where Chris met Italian cousins, she had heard about all her life but never met. She saw the church and schools where her parents had grown up. It was, by all accounts, the best vacation of her life.

Food was another arena where Chris truly came into her own. Whether it was a guilty pleasure from Duchess or Subway — a chili hot dog, a Whopper, or a handful of Oreos — she embraced it all without apology. But as a proud Bostonian, she had her standards: whole-belly fried clams, always. Any self-respecting New Englander knows that clam strips simply won't do. And don't count her out at the other end of the spectrum either — Chris could walk into a five-star restaurant and hold her own at any table, savoring a world-class meal with just as much ease and delight.

In her younger days in Boston, Chris was known for her love of ballroom dancing and an active social life — dinner, dancing, and evenings out at the clubs after work. On one such evening, she went to hear an unknown young singer perform. He introduced himself, had his security team escort her backstage, and asked her on a date. She turned him down, remarking famously that he “had no neck.” That singer was Tony Bennett.

Known as Nana to her beloved Grand Pups Kiwi, Fanci, and Fiona, Chris adored them completely. She cooked for them, walked them, gardened with them, and napped with them. She sewed them clothes and decorated hats and headbands for every holiday. She spoiled them rotten with love — and they were all the better for it.

Chris is survived by her loving daughters, Karen R. Cingari of Stamford, CT, and Susan G. Cingari of Dearfield Beach, FL, her Grand Pups Fanci and Fiona; and many beloved nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her sisters, Eva Iacovello and Vincenza “Vancy” Curto; her parents, Louis and Grace (Delmonico) Battaglia; and her former husband, Rocco “Rocky” Cingari.

A Celebration of life mass will be held on May 27,th 2026, at 11 a.m. at St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church, 566 Elm Street, Stamford. Entombment occurred at the Cingari Family Mausoleum, St. John's Roman Catholic Cemetery, Darien, CT. Calling hours were private.

Karen wishes to extend her heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Kristen Hohmann and Dr. Evelyn Cusack of Stamford Health Medical Group for going above and beyond their outstanding care, support, and compassion over the years and especially in her final days. She also wishes to recognize the entire Palliative/Comfort Care team at Stamford Hospital for their excellent and compassionate support.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the Nicholas F. Cognetta Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Myrtle Avenue, Stamford, CT. For further information or to leave an online condolence, please visit www.Cognetta.com.

In Lieu of flowers donations in Chris’s memory may be made to Saint Mary of Stamford Parish at https://stmarystfd.org/give or to Outreach to Pets in Need (OPIN) at https://opinpets.org/donate

Chris loved life with her whole heart — she loved people, food, laughter, creativity, and the simple joy of being together. The world is quieter without her, and she will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her.

“Loved by all. Forgotten by none.”