Pasqualena "Helen" Grazioso

February 7, 2022

Pasqualena "Helen" Sagnella Grazioso, 96, of Bethany, passed away peacefully on Monday, February 7, at Yale-New Haven Hospital after a brief illness. She is survived by her brother-in-law Emil Mana of Bethany. Helen was predeceased by her late husband of 65 years, Ralph C. Grazioso, two great-nephews, Jason Mana, and Phillip Lupo, and three sisters, Ida Congo, Carmela A. "Mille" Mana, and Margaret Ruocco, and two brothers, Anthony and Albert Sagnella. She was born on Wooster Street in New Haven in 1925 to the late Paul and Giovannina Cutillo Sagnella. Helen graduated from Commercial High School and went on to work for Rockbestos for over 30 years. She lived in North Haven for 45 years before moving to Bethany. Helen and Ralph traveled numerous times to Florida, Michigan, Las Vegas, California, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and Italy. Many nieces and nephews, including Stephen Mana (Sr.) and Linda Appleby, as well as many great-nieces and nephews, including Thomas Haesche, Michael Haesche, Alan C. Grazioso, Stephen Mana (Jr.), Emilly Lupo, and Angela Lupo, survive Helen, and will continue to tell her many stories. Helen was a steadfastly positive matriarchal force in her family, keeping track of and lovingly supporting her numerous relatives and friends. Helen was thankful that "for the majority of my life, I never took an aspirin or had any aches or pains," as she commonly remarked. Helen will be deeply missed. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Thursday morning at 9:30 in Our Lady of the Assumption Church, Woodbridge. Burial will follow in Carrington Cemetery, Bethany. Calling hours will be Wednesday from 4:00-7:00pm at Sisk Brothers Funeral Home, 3105 Whitney Ave., Hamden. www.siskbrothers.com