Joanne Sorrento

Pawcatuck — Joanne M. (Mazzarella) Sorrento, 87, of Pawcatuck, passed away at Apple Rehab Mystic on Thursday, Nov. 1, 2018, just nine days after her beloved husband of 62 years, Phil Sorrento, passed away.

Born in Pawcatuck, she was the daughter of the late Joseph and Angelina Mazzarella. Joanne was a graduate of the RI School of Nursing before receiving her master’s degree from the University of New Haven.

She was employed in 1959 at The Westerly Hospital as a registered nurse and worked her way up to director of nursing in 1976, a position she retained until February of 1987. Among other achievements, Joanne was instrumental in establishing a cardiac rehabilitation program and implementing ambulatory care services. She then served as a nursing consultant and later as an administrative consultant until her retirement. She was a longtime communicant of St. Michael’s Church.

She leaves two children, Joseph M. Sorrento and Steven Sorrento and fiancée, Lisa Shaw, all of Pawcatuck; and a grandson, Riley Sorrento of Groton.

She was predeceased by her twin sister, Jean Newbury and survived by Jean’s husband, Phillip T. Newbury and a brother-inlaw, James Crowley. Joanne was also predeceased by her brothers, Carl and Michael; and sisters, Frances, Ida, Josephine, Eleanor and Mary.

Visiting hours will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 5, at Gaffney-Dolan Funeral Home, 59 Spruce St., Westerly. Relatives and friends are also invited to attend a funeral liturgy that will take place at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 6, at St. Mary’s Church, 95 Main St., Stonington. There is no procession from the funeral home to church. Burial will follow at St. Michael Cemetery, Pawcatuck.

For online condolences please visit www.gaffneydolanfuneralhome.com.