Olivia Palermo
July 10, 1923 — September 9, 2014
Olivia Palermo, 91, of Stamford, CT, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her loving family. Olivia was born on July 10, 1923, in Cosenza, Italy to Gaetano and Giulia Cirillo and raised in San Fili, Italy. In 1946, she and her husband, Antonio, immigrated to the United States where they raised four daughters.
Olivia was an accomplished cook, seamstress and baker. Her Christmas cookies were legendary. Most importantly, however, Olivia was a kind, compassionate, selfless, and caring person. She always helped others in need. She had a vibrant personality and always greeted everyone with a smile, hug and a kiss (not necessarily in that order)! Family came first and family gatherings were the centerpiece of her life. Olivia also valued staying fit and healthy, and she had the distinction of being one of the oldest members of the Planet Fitness gym where she was always inspiring others.
A big believer in doing good for others and treating everyone with respect, Olivia will be remembered for the wisdom and caring she instilled in her children. A strong woman of faith, she started every day by doing the rosary.
She is survived by her daughters, Angela of Stamford; Sr. Teresa (Joanna) of Orleans, MA; Julia Alonge (and her husband Thomas) of Mahopac, NY; and Maria of Stamford. She is also survived by her grandchildren: Julianna Alonge of Houston, TX and Peter Alonge of Mahopac. Her grandchildren were the joy of her life, and she loved them dearly. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Betty Cirillo, of Stamford and by many nieces and nephews whom she loved as her own, as well as by special family friend, Lena Rotunno, and her family.
She was predeceased by her husband, Antonio; brother, Frank Cirillo; sister-in-laws, Santa Richichi and Ida Cesario.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday September 11, 2014 at 10:30 AM at St. Gabriel’s RC Church, 914 Newfield Avenue, Stamford, CT. Interment will follow at St. John’s RC Cemetery, Darien. There will be no calling hours. The Nicholas F. Cognetta Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Myrtle Avenue, Stamford, CT is honored assist the Palermo family with the arrangements.
The family would like to thank so many who showed so much love to Olivia: Cynthia Steele-Pucci, Bob and Helene Steele, Carol and Bud Torre, the Sisters, Brothers and members of the Community of Jesus.
The family would also like to thank her caregiver and friend, Antonietta Camerota, for all her love and companionship. In addition, love and thanks to Maria Migliarese for her kindness.
The family expresses special thanks to Dr. Michael Fusco and the members of Masonicare Home Health and HospiceTeam.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations in Olivia’s honor to Masonicare Home Health and Hospice, c/o The Masonic Charity Foundation of Connecticut, 74 Chesire Road, P.O. Box 70, Wallingford, CT 06492.
To leave online condolences, please visit www.cognetta.com.
Olivia was an accomplished cook, seamstress and baker. Her Christmas cookies were legendary. Most importantly, however, Olivia was a kind, compassionate, selfless, and caring person. She always helped others in need. She had a vibrant personality and always greeted everyone with a smile, hug and a kiss (not necessarily in that order)! Family came first and family gatherings were the centerpiece of her life. Olivia also valued staying fit and healthy, and she had the distinction of being one of the oldest members of the Planet Fitness gym where she was always inspiring others.
A big believer in doing good for others and treating everyone with respect, Olivia will be remembered for the wisdom and caring she instilled in her children. A strong woman of faith, she started every day by doing the rosary.
She is survived by her daughters, Angela of Stamford; Sr. Teresa (Joanna) of Orleans, MA; Julia Alonge (and her husband Thomas) of Mahopac, NY; and Maria of Stamford. She is also survived by her grandchildren: Julianna Alonge of Houston, TX and Peter Alonge of Mahopac. Her grandchildren were the joy of her life, and she loved them dearly. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Betty Cirillo, of Stamford and by many nieces and nephews whom she loved as her own, as well as by special family friend, Lena Rotunno, and her family.
She was predeceased by her husband, Antonio; brother, Frank Cirillo; sister-in-laws, Santa Richichi and Ida Cesario.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday September 11, 2014 at 10:30 AM at St. Gabriel’s RC Church, 914 Newfield Avenue, Stamford, CT. Interment will follow at St. John’s RC Cemetery, Darien. There will be no calling hours. The Nicholas F. Cognetta Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Myrtle Avenue, Stamford, CT is honored assist the Palermo family with the arrangements.
The family would like to thank so many who showed so much love to Olivia: Cynthia Steele-Pucci, Bob and Helene Steele, Carol and Bud Torre, the Sisters, Brothers and members of the Community of Jesus.
The family would also like to thank her caregiver and friend, Antonietta Camerota, for all her love and companionship. In addition, love and thanks to Maria Migliarese for her kindness.
The family expresses special thanks to Dr. Michael Fusco and the members of Masonicare Home Health and HospiceTeam.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations in Olivia’s honor to Masonicare Home Health and Hospice, c/o The Masonic Charity Foundation of Connecticut, 74 Chesire Road, P.O. Box 70, Wallingford, CT 06492.
To leave online condolences, please visit www.cognetta.com.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Olivia Palermo, please visit our flower store.