#Middlebury #Obituary
Beloved mother, grandmother and great grandmother
Mrs. Elizabeth “Betty” (Kannenberg) Cipriano, 99, of Middlebury entered the gates of heaven on Monday, December 7, 2020 at her home surrounded by her loving family. She was the loving wife of the late Vincent F. Cipriano Sr., who passed away in 2008.
Betty, as she was commonly referred to, was born in Naugatuck, Connecticut on November 26, 1921, the daughter of the late William and Lena (Grieder) Kannenberg. She grew up in Naugatuck, attended Salem Grammar School and was a graduate of Naugatuck High School. After achieving honors in high school she went on to earn her RN degree from the Waterbury Hospital School of Nursing. After graduation she worked locally in convalescent hospitals before accepting a permanent position in the Nursery Ward of Waterbury Hospital. Here she specialized in premature infant care where she remained for over 40 years.
Betty was a very giving person throughout her life and as such had the admiration of her many friends and coworkers. She possessed a quiet and calm demeanor which served her well in her chosen profession. In addition to being a devoted nurse, she had a love for all of God’s creatures in nature.
Betty married her beloved husband, Vincent “Jim” Cipriano, during World War II. She was left to raise her first child, Robert, while Jim was serving five years in the Army fighting the war in Europe. She balanced raising her child and working for the hospital for the time Jim was serving his country. They shared an active life together raising their five children. The most sorrowful day of their lives happened when their eldest son, Robert, was killed in a tragic automobile accident in 1959. This was a devastating event that Betty and Jim overcame and made them even devoted to their family.
Among her many interests she enjoyed being with her family, (including her beloved pets), gardening, quilting, knitting, reading, and baking. She was known for her delicious desserts, especially her homemade apple pies. Both Betty and Jim were avid dancers and spent many years high stepping with their dance group. Betty was always quick to help and volunteer for many causes, especially those involving helping animals.
Betty leaves to mourn her children, Donald Cipriano and his wife, Marie, of Waterbury; James Cipriano and his wife, Diane, of Watertown; Vincent F. Cipriano and his wife, Dana, of Middlebury; and Carol Walsh and her husband, Richard, of Middlebury; her five grandchildren, Laura O’Keefe, Kathryn Feeney, Robert Walsh, Tyler Walsh, and Barbara Cipriano; and six great-grandchildren, Jameson and Layla O’Keefe, Maeve and Finn Feeney, and Thomas and Kelly Walsh.
The family wishes to give a special thanks to the wonderful personal care aids who assisted Betty for the last seven years. A heartfelt debt of gratitude is extended to Maria McAloon and Maria Pesce for their devotion to Betty’s care.
Her funeral will be held Friday, December 11, 2020, at 10 a.m. from Chase Parkway Memorial/The Albini Family Funeral Home at 430 Chase Parkway in Waterbury to the Blessed Sacrament Church at 182 Robbins St. in Waterbury for a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery in Waterbury. A calling hour will be held Friday from 9 to 10 a.m. at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Whiskers Pet Rescue, P.O. Box 367, Southbury, CT 06788 or Animals for Life, P.O. Box 1481, Naugatuck, CT 06770.
For more information or to send e-condolences, visit www.chaseparkwaymemorial.com.
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