Theresa O. Signorile
Theresa O. Signorile, a long-time Stamford resident, passed away peacefully at the age of 96 with her loving family by her side on Sunday, November 14, 2021, at Maplewood Senior Living in Newtown, CT.
Theresa was born on July 20, 1925 in Frenchville, Maine, the 6th of 13 children born to Charles and Olive (Sirois) Sirois. She was married for 40 years to the late James “Chippy” Signorile at the time of his passing in 1994.
Theresa was raised on the Sirois family dairy farm (Sirois Dairy) and spoke French fluently. Upon graduating high school in 1944, she enrolled in the United States Cadet Nurse Corp WWII and trained to be a registered nurse at Mercy Hospital in Portland, Maine. She was employed at Stamford Hospital for 38 years, primarily on the “Main 3 North” cardiac floor until her retirement in 1987. After retiring, she volunteered weekly at the hospital for several years.
Theresa was a daily communicant at St. Cecilia’s R.C. Church in Stamford where she served as a Eucharistic Minister and Religious Education Instructor as well as on the Resurrection Guild and Altar Linen ministry. She was also a member of the Columbiettes of St. Augustine Council #41 and participated in St. Cecilia’s pilgrimage to Florence and Rome, Italy in 1998. It was the trip of a lifetime for her. In 2012 Theresa was awarded the St. Augustine Medal of Service by the Diocese of Bridgeport in recognition of her dedication and service to St. Cecilia’s Parish.
Theresa was also a member of several senior groups including “Club 39,” “Over 60 Club,” “Springdale Seniors Club,” and the “Red Hat Society.” She was an accomplished knitter, creating sweaters, capes, blankets, afghans, scarves and mittens for family and those in need. Theresa enjoyed a good piece of strawberry shortcake, line dancing, word search puzzles and reading nonfiction books and the local daily newspaper. She had an unwavering inner strength, boundless energy, and was fiercely independent. Although she lived in Stamford for over 67 years, Madawaska, Maine was always “home.”
Theresa is survived by her son James “Jimmy” Signorile, Jr and his wife Tatiana of New Milford, CT; daughter Margo Elaine Yade and her husband Vincent of Newtown, CT; grandsons James Signorile III (Meghan) of Enfield, CT, Joseph Signorile (Aaryn) of Trumbull, CT, Jake Signorile of Newtown, CT and John Signorile of New Milford, CT; greatgrandchildren Christopher, Olivia, Chase and Brayden; brother Hermel Sirois of St. David, Maine and several nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband and parents, Theresa was predeceased by eleven siblings – Valere, Germaine, Louis, Corinne, Lucien, Bertrand, Conrad, Robert, Claude, Patrick and Charles as well as several aunts, uncles and cousins.
The family would like to thank the staffs at Maplewood at Newtown and River Glen Health Care Center in Southbury for their kindness and compassionate care.
Calling hours for Theresa will be held Sunday, November 21 from 3:00 PM to 7:00 p.m. at Leo P. Gallagher & Son Funeral Home, 2900 Summer Street, Stamford, CT. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Monday, November 22 at 10:30 a.m. at Church of St. Cecilia, 1184 Newfield Avenue, Stamford, CT. Burial will immediately follow at Queen of Peace Cemetery, Rockrimmon Road, Stamford.
All guests are asked to please wear an appropriate facial covering while attending services.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Theresa’s memory may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital at www.stjude.org or 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.