Janeen O. Carabetta

Janeen Ortiz Carabetta of Westbrook, Connecticut passed away peacefully Friday, July 14, 2023. Born on September 2, 1955, in Petersburg, Virginia, Janeen is the third child of Johanna Buyalos Ortiz and Eduardo Ortiz de la Cruz. She is survived by her beloved husband of 25 years George Carabetta and her four siblings and their spouses Andy and Nancy Ortiz, Joanne Ortiz and Bill Saunders, Robert and Deborah Ortiz, and Carmina and Marty Drummond, along with several nieces, nephews, cousins, and other family members, all who loved her dearly. She was also embraced as family and loved by George’s parents, George and Carmela Carabetta, and children, Dan Carabetta and Matt Carabetta, and Matt’s wife Paula and their daughters, Emmah and Ellana Carabetta.

Janeen lived life fully and passionately, never missing the opportunity to take on a new adventure. Her life resume includes being a church folk singer, poet, scuba diver (with sharks no less!), marketing executive, wine broker, yachtswoman, cross country adventurer, double decker bus driver, world traveler, and pilot. She also spoke several languages, including Italian, Spanish, and French.

As a child, beginning in 1960, she lived in Puerto Rico with her family, where her father was born and raised. The family returned to Virginia when she was in the second grade. Janeen then attended St James Catholic School through eighth grade and graduated from Hopewell High School in 1973. She then attended the University of Tennessee, Knoxville before transferring to Longwood University in Virginia, where she graduated in 1977 with a B.S. in Psychology.

She translated her degree and organization skills into a career in management for services in healthcare facilities. She lived in Washington, DC and New Orleans before meeting the love of her life, George, in Connecticut and building a home with him there. They went on to travel the world together and take on many adventures, with Italy being one of their favorite destinations.

Janeen's gift to all was her kindness and open heartedness. She always worried more about others than she did herself. She embraced and accepted everyone regardless of their background, beliefs, or lifestyle. She showed all of us what true strength and courage is. To know her was to love her. She will be missed by all.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, July 19, 2023 from 5:00PM to 7:00PM at the Robinson, Wright & Weymer Funeral Home, 34 Main Street in Centerbrook. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Our Lady of Sorrows Church, 14 Prospect Street in Essex on Thursday, July 20, 2023 at 10:30AM. Memorial contributions may be made in Janeen’s name to The Shoreline Soup Kitchens & Pantries, PO. Box 804, Essex, CT 06426