Dolores G. Sassano

Dolores (Gagliardi) Sassano, 81, beloved wife of Wayne J. Sassano, PhD, passed away peacefully, with her customary beauty and grace, at home on April 1, 2026, surrounded by her loving family. Youngest daughter of the late Victor P. and Rose (DeCamillis) Gagliardi, she was born in Hartford on March 1, 1945, and resided there until her family moved to Wethersfield in 1954. A graduate of Wethersfield High School, Lasell Jr. College, and New York's famed Tobé-Coburn School for Fashion Careers, Dolores pursued a successful career in women's fashion and retail store management lasting more than a decade.

Always generous and helpful, she naturally transitioned from business to public service, serving initially as Democratic Registrar of Voters and then as Town Clerk for the Town of Wethersfield, where she enjoyed a rewarding and productive career of 20 years. She was a member of the Connecticut Town Clerks Association and for years volunteered at church and her children's schools.

Home was both heaven and haven to her. She raised her three children with unconditional love, support, and encouragement and was happiest when her home was filled with music, art, laughter, good food, family and friends, whether in Wethersfield or at the beach in Old Lyme. She played the piano, prepared and handed down family recipes, made clothing and costumes for her children, spoiled her husband, cherished her siblings, regularly won at cards, and rooted for the Yankees. A child of the 50s and 60s, she loved Elvis, Ricky Nelson, the Everly Brothers, the Allman Brothers Band, and perhaps most charitably, her husband's guitar playing. Those who knew her best, those she so freely and unselfishly helped, and those she held dearest are the ones who will miss her most.

She leaves Wayne, her high school sweetheart and husband of 57 years; her children Deidre Sassano, Phaedre Sassano (Gregg Wachtelhausen), and Wayne M. Sassano; her sister, R. Donna Gagliardi; brothers, Peter D. Gagliardi (Amy) and Victor P. Gagliardi Jr.; nieces, Lily DaCruz (Mark), Aurora Melita (Gus), Faith Gagliardi (Jon Lindblad), Donna Sturtevant (David), Emily Redmond (Kevin), Susan Perrino and Dr. Catherine Laney (Johnson); nephews, Mark and Steven LaCava (Rose), Michael Giovanetti, Peter Gagliardi (Dawn), John D. Sassano (Leila), John C. Sassano, Peter C. Sassano (Tiya), and beloved grandson, Ethan Povey. She also leaves cousins from the Brandt, D'Addario, and Marinelli families. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by loving family members Victoria and Jerry LaCava, Corinne and Gino Giovanetti, Dr. Felix G. and Judith Sassano, and Dr. John J. Sassano.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, April 17, at 10 a.m. at Corpus Christi Church of Christ the King Parish, 601 Silas Deane Highway in Wethersfield. Attendees are asked to please go directly to the church. Interment will follow at Cedar Hill Cemetery, 453 Fairfield Avenue in Hartford. Calling hours will be held Thursday, April 16, from 4-7 p.m. at the D'Esopo Funeral Chapel, 277 Folly Brook Blvd. in Wethersfield. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Town of Wethersfield's Department of Social Services. To share a memory of Dolores, please visit www.desopofuneralchapel.com