Theresa A. (Carriero) Boccuzzi

Theresa "Teri" Boccuzzi, 78, of Danbury, wife of the late Joseph Boccuzzi, died on Saturday evening, August 26, 2023, at Danbury Hospital. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, September 15, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. in St. Peter R.C. Church, 121 Main St., Danbury. Interment will follow in St. Peter Cemetery, Danbury.  The family will receive friends in the Jowdy-Kane Funeral Home, 9 Granville Ave., Danbury on Thursday, September 14, 2023, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

OBITUARY

Theresa A. (Carriero) Boccuzzi, passed away peacefully after a courageous battle with lung disease on August 26, 2023, surrounded by her loving family. Teri, as she was called by her friends, was born on November 6, 1944, in Stamford, CT to the late William and Cecelia (Nirschel) Carriero.

A records clerk, Teri retired from the Danbury Police Department after a long career. Prior to her time at the police department, she dedicated many years to local Danbury politics, both as a candidate as well as a campaign champion.  She was a member of the Danbury Board of Education, as well as of the Republican Town Committee. She was a candidate for Town Representative and later worked tirelessly at City Hall supporting elections and helping Danbury citizens to vote. She served as a Justice of the Peace, as well as a notary. Community-minded and devoted to her causes, she was generous with her time and enjoyed working with people, routinely volunteering at her children’s and then later her grandchildren’s, schools.  She committed numerous hours and years working to make First Night Danbury a memorable event. She was a union representative and never shied away from leadership roles. The list of charities she supported was long, even in her retirement. Teri was passionate about her beliefs and could be found fiercely debating her points of view with friends and family members.

A talented and committed cook, she delighted in feeding others with her delicious Italian food. Neighbors recall the aroma of Italian “gravy” emanating from her home each Saturday afternoon as she prepared for her family’s traditional Sunday dinner. Her signature dish, sausage and peppers, was enjoyed by family, friends, and staff at Immanuel Lutheran School where she relished watching others savor her creation. She routinely watched cooking shows, studying techniques and ideas that she could emulate and share with others. While in the hospital, despite her illness; she asked her family to send sandwiches to the staff so that they could eat when they were busy.  Though she was suffering terribly, caring for others through food brought a smile to her face as each staff member came in to personally thank her for her generosity.

Teri loved playing cards and games, most especially Bingo, and traveling with her friends to Foxwoods for weekends away. Her grandchildren remember fondly their time at church halls playing with the multicolored dot makers as she competed for the prize. She also created treasured memories of traveling to Ireland to visit her daughter, Lisa, delighting in the beautiful green scenery and the quieter way of life.

In her later years, her greatest joy was found in the relationship she developed with her grandson Joseph, who became her steadfast companion, trusted confidant, and dedicated chariot driver. His support enabled her to live out her last days with love and joy.

Teri is survived by her beloved daughters, Lori Chmura (Steve) of Cumming, GA, Lisa Monaghan (Colm Mangan) of Belmullet, Ireland, and Teri Kovacs (Paul) of Danbury CT, as well as her nine precious grandchildren, Trista Monaghan, James Monaghan, Brianna O’Boyle (Bryan) Jenna Boccuzzi, Lia Boccuzzi, Chelsea Chmura Cowart (Ray), Joseph Chmura, Joseph Kovacs, and Lily Kovacs. She was also blessed with three great-grandchildren, Ava Monaghan, Nina O’Boyle, and Benjamin O’Boyle. Predeceased by her former husband Joseph Generosa Boccuzzi, and her parents, she is survived by her brother Peter Carriero of St. Petersburg, FL, and William Carriero of Ridgefield CT, as well as many brothers and sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, and dear friends.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, September 15, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. in St. Peter R.C. Church, 121 Main St., Danbury. Interment will follow in St. Peter Cemetery, Danbury.  The family will receive friends in the Jowdy-Kane Funeral Home, 9 Granville Ave., Danbury on Thursday, September 14, 2023, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. and at 9 a.m. on Friday, September 15th.

The family will host a reception directly after her interment and hope that all can attend to celebrate her life.

Memorial contributions can be made to the American Lung Association.

The family would like to sincerely thank Dr Dmitriy Golovyan, her pulmonologist, who was steadfast in his efforts to restore her to full healing, despite her illness;  Celine, her trustworthy patient care technician, who could admirably and lovingly spar with Teri‘s sharp tongue and strong will; and to all the staff in the progressive care unit at Danbury Hospital who cared for Teri and our family as we navigated the tumultuous last days of her journey.  The dedication and tenacity exemplified in caring for our mom during her final days were unparalleled with respect to professionalism and compassion, and for that, we are eternally grateful.

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