Shirley Boccuzzi

Shirley Zaiko Boccuzzi left this earth to join her beloved husband James on Saturday, January 25, 2025. Shirley was born on Sept. 2, 1931 to the late Jane (Zaiko) and Step-Father, Walter Chrzanowski. She attended local schools graduating from New Britain High School in 1948. Shirley wanted to become a nurse but was too young to be accepted into the nursing schools so she started working at American Bazaar. She worked after school as a telephone operator until she graduated high school. Shirley loved to bake and cook for her family and friends. She especially loved to make breads, rolls and cookies for the holidays and give them away to family and friends. She loved to make things with her grandchildren, taught them how to make homemade pasta and was very proud of their accomplishments. She loved to sew and made each one a christening outfit that they would hand down for generations to come.

Shirley worked for American Bazaar then stayed home to raise her boys. When they were grown she worked for the Greater New Britain Board of Realtors as their Executive officer for 14 years. She belonged to the New Britain Council for Catholic Women and served as their secretary for a term and was a member of St. Paul's Church and their Prayer Shawl Group.

Shirley leaves her beloved sons; Dr. James Boccuzzi and his wife Donna of Storrs, Brian Boccuzzi and his wife Marie of Southington, the loves of her life, her 4 grandchildren, Ryan(Elsa) , Daniel, Michael and Cody and a great-granddaughter, Sophia her special little angel. In addition she leaves a brother; Richard in California, several cousins whom she dearly loved; Dr. William McPherson of S. Carolina, Debra McPherson of Indiana, Dan & Diane Phelon of Suffield and Donald McPherson of California as well as several nieces, nephews and extended family. She was predeceased by her granddaughter Jeralyn, cousin Gary Suprynowicz and a grand daughter-in-law; Madeline Boccuzzi.

Relatives and friends by visit with the family on Monday, February 3, 2025 from 9-10:30am at the New Britain Memorial-Donald D. Sagarino Funeral Home, 444 Farmington Ave., New Britain. A mass of Christian burial will follow at 11:30am at St. Paul Church, 461 Alling St., Berlin, CT. Burial will follow at Sacred Heart Cemetery, New Britain. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to St. Jude's Children Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or at www.stjude.org .