Michele Elizabeth Della Gioia Torok, 53, of Shelton died March 8, surrounded by her loving family at Yale New Haven Hospital. She was born in Bridgeport on February 6, 1964, to the late Mary (Kelly) and Joseph Della Gioia and had been a lifelong area resident.

Her beloved children, Joseph Torok, Mary Torok, and her significant other Evan Mariconda, Christopher Torok, and his significant other Kayla Penna, and Richard Torok, all of Stratford; her loving sisters, Joann Gallagher, and her husband Andrew, of Newtown, Maryann O'Connor, and her husband Dennis, of Stratford, and Kelly DellaGioia of Bridgeport; her children's father, Joseph Torok of Stratford; her significant other Donald Lako of Shelton; her cherished aunt of Middlebury; and several devoted nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins survive Ms Torok.

She was a graduate of Bunnell High School and was employed by the Stratford Board of Education as a paraprofessional, most recently at Eli Whitney Elementary School. Ms Torok was known as a kind, caring, and selfless woman who loved to give without expecting anything in return. She enjoyed making others laugh and always knew how to without even trying. Most of all she enjoyed spending time with family and friends, all of whom meant the world to her.

Her family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to the caring staff at Yale New Haven Hospital and to all who have been supportive during this difficult time.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 am on Friday, March 17, meeting directly at Our Lady of Grace Church, 497 Second Hill Lane, Stratford. Internment will be at St John's Cemetery, Stratford.

Friends may call on Thursday, March 16, from 4 to 8 pm, in the Adzima Funeral Home, 50 Paradise Green Place, Stratford.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Kennedy Center, 2440 Reservoir Avenue, Trumbull CT 06611; Special Olympics at specialolympics.org; or to a charity of one's choice.

For more information or to make an online condolence, visit adzimafuneralhome.com.