JOANNE PARISI

Joanne (DiReinzo) Parisi, 66, of Bethany, passed away suddenly at Yale New

Haven Hospital on Monday, September 27th in the early hours of the morning with her family by her side. Joanne was born in New Haven on December

16, 1954 to her late mother and father Mary (Valenti) and Frank DiReinzo. Joanne was married to Leonardo Parisi for 24 years before he passed away from a long battle with leukemia. She is survived by sons Daniel Parisi and Christian Parisi, daughter-in-law Courtney Parisi, and the love of her life grandson Julian Parisi. After graduating Amity Regional High School in

1972 she pursued a degree in education and foreign language study. Joanne was an early childhood educator until her retirement to Cape Cod with her companion William Jagrosse. Always a teacher, Joanne touched the lives of hundreds of children over a 15-year career as a preschool teacher, owning and operating two nursey schools of her own in that time as well. After retiring, Joanne enjoyed cruising the Caribbean with William and trips to Foxwoods with her girlfriends. A forever loving dog owner, her true love was her sons though. There was nothing she would not do for them. The last 6 years Joanne relished in spoiling her only grandson, Julian, forging the most special relationship. Known as “Eeum” by Julian, Joanne will be sorely missed and remembered always.

The visiting hours will be Wednesday, Sept. 29th from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at The Havens Family, North Haven Funeral Home, 36 Washington Avenue. Family and friends are invited to attend a graveside service on Thursday morning, Sept. 30th in Orange Center Cemetery, Orange at 10:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to ASPCA, P.O. Box 96929, Washington, DC 20090-6929 www.northhavenfuneral.com