Marie J. (DiGirolamo) Zaino

Cornwall Bridge, CT – Marie Jane (DiGirolamo) Zaino, 90, formerly of Indian River Shores, FL, Farmington and West Hartford, CT died peacefully on September 21, 2018 surrounded by her loving family.

        She was predeceased in 2009 by her cherished husband of 62 years, Angelo John Zaino. She is survived by her beloved eldest daughter Dr. Eleanor Marie Fritz; her beloved daughter and son-in-law with whom she made her home, Judy and Kim Herkimer; her most treasured eldest grandson Sean Fritz, and was a loving great-grandmother to his son Noah Edward Angelo Fritz; she was predeceased by her precious grandson Jeffrey Fritz who adored his Gram and Gramp.

        One in a close-knit and loving extended family, she was predeceased by two brothers, Anthony DiGiro, Pat DiGiro, and her sister-in-law (Pat’s wife), Muriel (Oldroyd) DiGiro. She is survived by her brother and his wife, Sal and Judy (Smith) DiGiro, and by her sisters-in-law (Anthony’s wife) Julia (Russo) DiGiro, and (Pat’s second wife) Muriel (Blesso) DiGiro. She was also predeceased by her husband’s four sisters, four brothers, and seven of their respective wives and husbands. She is survived by her sister-in-law Esther Zaino from the Boston area. She is also survived by a large number of devoted nieces, (great) grandnieces, nephews, (great) grandnephews and their families who deeply loved their Auntie Marie. She always kept up on their many accomplishments and adventures.

         Born in 1927 in Hartford, the daughter of Frank D. and Angelina B. (DeGregorio) DiGirolamo,  she was raised in the North- and South Ends of the city. As a young woman, she graduated from Weaver High School and worked at Royal Typewriter. After the love of her life was discharged from the Pacific Theater as a disabled Navy veteran, they were married in 1946 at St. Joseph's Cathedral in Hartford, CT, then settled in West Hartford to raise their family. She then was employed at United Tool and Die for many years, and finally in the office of her dear friend Morris Kotick, DDS, before she and her husband retired to Florida. For many years, she volunteered at the Hebrew Home in West Hartford. She and her husband enjoyed traveling and cruises, she had a great love of the theater and reading, and she so enjoyed her friends and the activities with the Prime Timers in Warren, CT.

         It takes a village to care for the elders, and the family extends their deep appreciation to all who knew her for their love and friendship during her final years. A special note of gratitude to the best surgeon ever at Hartford Hospital, Hiroyoshi Takata, MD, whose intervention gifted her and her family an additional 12 years together. 

        Walk in light dearest one as you rest in the Unseen World. We will see you smiling for all time; your work is complete. You lived unconditional love, prayer, joy, kindness, humility, generosity, forgiveness, and acceptance. May her memory be a source of strength and a blessing to all.

        Her request was for no services. A private burial is planned for spring when the lilacs are in bloom at the family's plot in West Hartford. If you are called to make a memorial gesture, please support an organization working on hunger and food insecurity.

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