Sarah Simso-DeMaria, 41, died September 23, after a 3½-year battle with mesothelioma. Born in Norwalk, she lived in Torrington at the time of her passing.

Her parents, Dave and Pam Simso of Newtown; her husband, Paul DeMaria; her mother-in-law, Rose DeMaria; a brother, David, Jr, and his wife Justine; a sister, Georgette; four nieces and nephews; and many beloved aunts, uncles, and cousins survive her.

Ms Simso-DeMaria worked as a dental hygienist and practice manager in Brookfield, Litchfield, and Simsbury. She loved her work and helping people. She took pride in being the best she could be at everything she did.

Her love of the outdoors included camping, and her dream was to travel the country in her motor home. Disney World was her favorite destination, where she would always share a banana split with her father.

Ms Simso-DeMaria and Paul were married in Italy, and their ultimate goal was to retire there someday. Her loved ones say she was a beautiful soul and a force of nature, taken in the prime of her life by a horrible disease.

Her family would like to give a special thank you to Dr Michael Cohenuram and the Danbury Hospital staff, Dr Roberta Meltzer and her staff, and the nurses of Foothills VNA for the amazing compassionate care they gave to Ms Simso-DeMaria.

Friends may greet the family on Saturday, September 30, from 8 to 9 am, in the Hoyt-Cognetta Funeral Home & Crematory, 5 East Wall Street, Norwalk.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 9:30 am at St Matthew's Church, 216 Scribner Avenue, Norwalk. Interment will follow in St John's Cemetery, Norwalk.

In lieu of flowers, consider a donation to the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation at curemeso.org, so others may not have to suffer as she did.

For more information, visit norwalkfh.com.