Angeline Pierce

Groton — Angeline Pierce, of Groton and formerly of Branford, passed away peacefully Dec. 30, 2023, in Fairview Healthcare Center. She was the wife of the late Mitchell Pierce.

Born in Ellwood City, Pa., on Dec. 5, 1925, a daughter of the late Dominic and Marie Conti Calabro, Angeline was an original “Rosie the Riveter,” working as an inspector of bomb casing at Jones and Laughlin Steel during World War II. During the war, she was a member of an all-female musical group where she played the accordion on the radio. She later worked as a supervisor for medical records and transcription at Yale New Haven Hospital for over 30 years. Following her retirement, Angeline was an active volunteer at the Branford Senior Center for many years and received a Presidential Recognition Certificate for her efforts to help fellow seniors. She taught the accordion well into her 90s.

She was the devoted mother of Michele (Marshall) Chiaraluce; sister of Antoinette Tagliere and the late Margaret Palen, Jennie Mairano, Guy, Anthony, Frank Calabro, Philip, and Joseph Sciaretta; grandmother of Marshall Anthony “Mac,” Michael and Danielle Chiaraluce; and great-grandmother or Lorenzo, Teisha and Gabriella Chiaraluce. She is also survived by her dear friend Joy Harris; and many nieces and nephews.

Visiting hours will be from 10 to 11 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 9, in St. George Parish Center, 33 Whittfield Street, Guilford. A Catholic service will be held at 11 a.m. Burial will follow in St. George Cemetery, Guilford. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Angeline’s name may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, www.stjude.org. Share a memory on Angeline’s tribute page at www.iovanne.com. The Iovanne Funeral Home, Inc. is in care of her arrangements.