Teresa G. Chiarenza

Teresa G. Chiarenza, 43, of South Windsor, returned to eternal rest on Saturday May 23, 2026.Teresa was born on October 27, 1982, and was the daughter of the late Rocco and Lori (Reardon) Chiarenza. A person of great empathy, Teresa always put others before herself. Whether through her studies as a Psychology major at Eastern Connecticut State University or just who she was at her core, she had a rare ability to tap into the emotions of others and make people feel seen, heard, and valued. Caring for others was not simply her career--it was who she was.

As a member of Conard High School’s Class of 2000, Teresa embraced those high school years with optimism and joy for the class that would ring in the new millennium. She could always be found with a smile on her face , be-bopping around school with some of her closest friends, including Jennifer Klane, Sarah Costa, and Michelle Woodward.

Following college, Teresa dedicated much of her life to helping others. She started out developing a curriculum for children on the autism spectrum and implementing her curriculum in both group settings and during one-on-one in-home instruction. It was that one-on-one instruction that truly let her shine. She became not only a resource to help children and their families develop the skills they needed to navigate their lives, but often became part of the family. She later continued on her path working with adults with Down Syndrome, Autism, intellectual disabilities, and other mental health challenges, helping them develop life skills and independence. Whenever she spoke of the children and adults with whom she came into contact through these years her eyes would sparkle. She loved seeing the progress made by those with whom she interacted. Most recently, Teresa began working in the medical field for Women’s Health Connecticut.

Though her work was a part of her life, it fell second fiddle to the love she had for her family. When it came to a family gathering, Teresa was the one staging everyone for the perfect photo op. Unfortunately, none of us went Instagram famous from any of those shots. From the holiday gatherings with the impromptu karaoke to the occasional summer vacations to the Rhode Island beaches, Teresa captured the moment (at least for the first day until the sun got the better of that Irish skin of hers). Then came the love of her life. To much of her human family’s chagrin, Teresa’s life soon revolved around her fur baby, Gigi. Through the good times and the bad over the last twelve years, she and Gigi were inseparable.

As time progressed, life was not always easy for Teresa, facing her own struggles with mental health, especially after the loss of her mother. Those experiences shaped her compassion even further and strengthened her desire to advocate for understanding and support for those facing mental health challenges. She hoped to help create a better world where those facing mental health challenges would feel less alone and more accepted.

Above all, Teresa will be remembered for her gentle heart, her empathy, and the love and care she gave so freely to others. Her kindness and lasting impact on many lives will be deeply missed.

Teresa is survived by her fur baby, Gigi; her brother, Rocco A. Chiarenza of Newington; her three pseudo-siblings, Michael (Shaina Boucar) Chiarenza of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, John (Christina Jackson Champeau) Chiarenza of Ellington, and Melissa Chiarenza of South Windsor, as well as many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends who loved her dearly.

A private memorial and burial for friends and family will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Teresa’s memory to a charity of your choice. The D’Esopo Funeral Chapel, Wethersfield has been entrusted with the arrangements.