Nancy Patricia (Waite) Cerreta, 69, of Sandy Hook, died peacefully in a memory care facility in Southbury on February 1, 2025.

She was born in Nassau County, N.Y., to Charles and Elizabeth Waite, and grew up nearby. Though she moved away in adulthood, Nancy always identified as a New Yorker and often spoke fondly of her upbringing on Long Island. Nancy graduated from Uniondale High School in 1973 and went on to major in English at Montclair State University (then College).

Nancy met her husband Charles (“Chick”) in 1980, and they were married on March 31, 1984. They welcomed their first child, son Nicholas Cerreta, in March 1986; daughter Tara Cerreta followed in December 1988. Motherhood came naturally to Nancy, and she always made sure her children had fun birthdays and holidays. Creative and artistically talented, with skills in drawing and sewing, Nancy handmade all of her kids’ Halloween costumes and many holiday decorations. She loved Christmas, adorning the entire house in festive decor and keeping up with everyone’s favorite traditions.

Nancy was known for her infectious laughter and quick wit. She was generous and caring, opening her home to many family members and family friends over the years when they came upon tough times. She was an incredible host and amazing cook, who always put others before herself. She was a mom to everyone. All will miss her.

A lifelong animal lover, Nancy was deeply knowledgeable about birds and local wildlife. She loved to feed the squirrels, chipmunks, and small birds in her backyard, and kept a running list of all the bird species she saw and heard.

When her children started school, Nancy got a job as an aide at Sandy Hook Elementary, assisting children with disabilities in the classroom. Nancy’s patient and caring nature made her a natural; she often invited the students she worked with to play with her own kids. Nancy later worked at Newtown High School and Middle Gate Elementary School, in addition to working as an administrative assistant at Ashlar of Newtown (now Stone Bridge Center for Health and Rehabilitation).

She is survived by her husband, Charles (“Chick”) Cerreta, and her children, Nicholas Cerreta and Tara Cerreta; her mother, Elizabeth Waite; and her brother Glen Waite.

Nancy was predeceased by her father, Charles Waite, and her brother, Timothy Waite.

The family feels immense gratitude for the staff at Monarch Southbury, as well as Accent Care Hospice, for taking such wonderful care of mom and keeping her comfortable in her final days. Even as Nancy’s cognition faded, she smiled and laughed every day.

The family plans to hold a private celebration of life at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to The American Brain Foundation.