Rosaria “Sarina” Spadaro, 76, of Ansonia died March 21 at Griffin Hospital, with her loving family by her side. She was the beloved wife of 54 years to Antonino Spadaro. She was born in Corleone, province of Palermo, Sicily, Italy, on May 14, 1938, and was the daughter of the late Giuseppe and Vincenza Maniscalco Mirabile.

In addition to her husband, three loving sons, Salvatore V. Spadaro of Sandy Hook, and Joseph A. Spadaro and Vincent M. Spadaro of Ansonia; a sister, Rosetta Bigi, of Milan, Italy; an honorary daughter, Donna Kozlowski of Seymour; and several nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and pets survive Mrs Spadaro. A son, Luigi A. Spadaro; a brother, Carmelo Mirabile; and sisters, Leoluchina and Rosa Mirabile, predeceased her.

She immigrated to the United States in 1955 at the age of 16, and was married April 15, 1961.

She maintained a strong work ethic and was always a model employee, having worked at Teledyne in Ansonia, and retired from Sikorsky Aircraft in Shelton.

Mrs Spadaro was a devoted communicant of Holy Rosary Church in Ansonia, where she participated in Perpetual Adoration. She was dedicated to her family and friends and was always willing to lend a helping hand to others. She immensely sacrificed of herself to provide opportunities for her children.

Mrs Spadaro enjoyed flower and vegetable gardening, cooking and baking, and was an avid collector of Precious Moments figurines. She was known for her homemade Italian tomato sauce and her delicious cookies, especially her sour cream cookies known as “Sarina’s cookies.”

Visiting hours will take place Wednesday, March 25, from 4 to 8 pm, in the chapel of the Spinelli-Ricciuti/Bednar-Osiecki Funeral Home, 62 Beaver Street, Ansonia. A funeral will take place Thursday, March 26, at 9:15 am, from the funeral home, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 am, at Holy Rosary Church in Ansonia. Interment will take place in Mt St Peter Cemetery in Derby.

Memorial contributions may be made to St Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or at www.stjude.org; or The Center for Cancer Care at Griffin Hospital, 350 Seymour Avenue, Derby CT 06418 or at www.griffincancercenter.org, or through the funeral home.

To send an online condolence visit www.spinelliricciutifh.com.