Giuseppina “Pina” (Magno) Cristofaro, 79, of Rocky Hill passed away peacefully on February 28, 2021 in her home surrounded by her family. She was the beloved wife of the late Antonio Cristofaro. Born on December 22, 1941 in Girifalco Calabria Italy, she was the daughter of the late Eugenio and Teresa (Riccio) Magno. Pina worked twenty-two years as a para-educator in the Hartford Public School System working with special needs children. Throughout her life, Pina was known as a skillful seamstress, a talent that she used to help many of her friends and family. Widowed at a young age, Pina dedicated her life to raising her children and providing them with the opportunity of an education. She took on the challenge of learning a third language and raising two children in a new country and did so valiantly. Pina always had a wonderful outlook on life, she always shared laughter with everyone she met and welcomed family and friends into her home, providing a warm comfortable environment, for all to enjoy.
When she retired, she became full time Nonna to her five cherished grandchildren, Alexandra, Gabriella, Antonio, Anthony, and Marissa. Pina sadly leaves her son Victor his wife Barbie, and her son Dominick. She leaves her sister Cesarina and her husband Vincent, as well as her niece Maria her husband Tony, nephew Paul, his wife Nita, their two children Luke and Siena. Pina leaves her sister Fiorina and her husband Salvatore, sister-in-law Rosa, her brother Carlo and wife Santina and brother Paolo and wife Julia, as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins in Italy and Argentina. In addition to her husband and parents, she was pre-deceased by her sister Rosa and brother Pasquale.
Everyone that knew Pina will miss her wonderful sense of humor. An exceptionally devoted mother, she will be remembered for her love of her family. An excellent cook, Pina would always prepare delicious meals for her family and friends to enjoy. She loved to make her delicious angel wings for the holidays, and biscuits for Easter that were promptly delivered for her friend’s enjoyment. Her grandchildren will always remember Nonna’s chicken cutlets, homemade pasta and sauce. Pina’s friends will remember their trips to the casino, restaurants, shopping, and visits that she treasured so very much.
The family will receive relatives and friends on Friday, March 12, 2021 from 4-6 p.m. at the D’Esopo Funeral Chapel, 277 Folly Brook Boulevard, Wethersfield. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, March 13, 2021 at 10 a.m. at St. Josephine Bakhita Parish/St. James Church, 767 Elm Street, Rocky Hill. Burial will follow at Rose Hill Memorial Park in Rocky Hill. (Masks and social distancing guidelines will be followed.) In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Parkinson’s Foundation, https://www.parkinson.org/ways-to-give. For online expressions of sympathy to the family, please visit www.desopofuneralchapel.com.
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