Alfano, Mary Ann

Mary Ann Alfano (née Sinatro), 99, of Suffield and Mystic CT died peacefully at home on January 11, 2023. Born on September 17, 1923 to Mabel (Marrama) and Pasquale Sinatro, she grew up in West Hartford, CT the eldest of three children. She graduated from The Mount St. Joseph Academy in West Hartford and Larson College in New Haven,

CT.

Mary Ann met the love of her life Charles Thomas Alfano on a blind date at a dinner party in West Hartford. They married in 1954 and were blessed to have shared so many years together. Her life was devoted to her husband, their four children and Charlie's legal and political career.

Mary Ann was the matriarch of the Alfano family until the day she died; she was the glue that bonded them together. Her family was her lifelong occupation and her greatest joy.

Mary Ann was a strong, tough, feisty woman who fiercely defended those she loved. She was never afraid to tell family members or friends exactly what was on her mind. Good or bad, she never held back, and was not shy about expressing her strong political views.

Mary Ann also had style and great taste. She loved fashion and interior design. She enjoyed decorating her homes and was always stylishly dressed, even in her final days. Mary Ann loved to sing, recently serenading the family with her favorite song, Irving Berlin's “Blue Skies.” She never grew tired of dancing to great music, particularly Frank Sinatra.

When Charlie Alfano “accidentally” acquired a boat, Mary Ann reluctantly went along for the cruise, and stayed onboard for 35 years. While she wasn't as calm in rough seas as her husband and children, Mary Ann served as Charlie's lifetime first mate and endured what would become a family passion for boating and the sea. They charted courses up and down the Eastern Seaboard and the Bahamas, on occasion encountering rough seas, high winds and dense fog. Mary Ann, ever the good sport, always went along for the ride. In Mystic, CT the extended family would gather to spend summers, winters and holidays together. Mystic in particular brought together all the things Mary Ann most loved in life in one place: her family, the sea, boating, birds especially red Cardinals, and her gardens full of flowers and butterflies. These were all “ingredients” of her romantic soul. Believing in the adage “build it and they will come” led to decades of family time together for three generations.

Mary Ann was a member of the Junior League of West Hartford, The Connecticut Opera Guild, the Suffield Garden Club, the Suffield Women's Club and the Suffield Arts Council, which she served as President from 1978-1981.

Mary Ann was predeceased by her husband Charlie in 2016, her brothers James and Pasqale Sinatro, Jr. and her sister-in-law Mary Sinatro. Her sister-in-law Josephine Sinatro survives her.

She is also survived by her four children, Diane Alfano (Carlo Lazzari) of New York City and Singer Island, FL, Andrea Alfano (Charles Freiberg) of Oakland, CA, Charles Thomas Alfano, Jr (Alyce) of Suffield, CT and Susan Galleshaw (Frank) of Lincoln, RI.

Mary Ann also leaves six grandchildren who gave her the greatest joy in her later years. She was so proud of what impressive adults they grew to be: Alexander Freiberg, Gregory Freiberg, Michael Galleshaw and Nicholas Alfano all of New York City, Matthew Galleshaw of Boston, MA, and Olivia Alfano of Los Angeles, CA. She also leaves 18 nieces and nephews.

The Alfano family is eternally grateful to the five extraordinary women who cared for Mary Ann and became part of the family over the last seven years, led by the indomitable Patricia Howzell, whose joy for life is contagious, her daughter-in-law, Kitty McKenzieRose, her sister Iris (Carol) Gray, her daughter Kay Rose and Anthonia Burgos. They gave Mary Ann love and the best care, allowing her to stay in her own home until the very end.

Visiting hours will be held on Friday, January 20, 2023 at Nicholson & Carmon Funeral Home, 443 East St. N.(Rt. 159), Suffield, CT from 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at Sacred Heart Church in Suffield at 11:00 AM. Burial will follow in Woodlawn Cemetery, Suffield. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to Suffield Community Aid, 450 South St., Suffield, CT 06078 or Masonicare Home Health & Hospice, 77 Hartland St. Suite 400, East Hartford, CT 06108 Masonicare.org To leave on-line condolences please visit www.carmonfuneralhome.com

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