Irene Delores DeLuca, nee Esposito, a loving mother, grandmother, great grandmother and sister passed away at Stamford Hospital on the morning of Tuesday, October 26, 2021. Irene was a lifelong resident of Stamford and was born on November 6, 1920. Irene was one of five children born to the late Jerry and Jennie (Romaniello) Esposito. She was 100 years old at the time of her passing and just 11 days shy of 101.
Irene defined a life lived to its fullest and spent a century committed to family, faith, and permanent waves. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother and personified the independent woman in the City of Stamford which she loved so dearly. She was fierce and fabulous while also kind and generous. Irene became a hairstylist in 1939 and spent nearly 80 years perfecting the perm. Her colleagues dubbed her “The Queen of the Permanent Wave.” After graduating beauty school, she began her career at Jean’s Beauty but only a year later, World War II began and she quit to work in a factory – which she hated and would leave after a week to return to her passion and work at Helen’s Beauty Shop where business had been booming thanks to more women having jobs during wartime and their own money to spend. Perms were big business. Following the war, Irene married her husband Tony and bought Jean’s Beauty, the shop where she started her career. Her shop, “Irene’s,” was short-lived as she chose to pursue motherhood and had her beloved daughters Carolyn and Marilyn in the 1950s.
While she devoted herself to raising her girls, her passion for perms and her natural hustle led her to taking her business on the road, visiting convalescent homes, hospitals, and private residences, always with “her girls” in tow, forging a wealth of wonderful memories. The 60s saw a decline in demand for perms and Irene savored the extra time she had to spend with Tony, the girls, and her cherished sisters. In the late 60s, she would find her “forever” shop at Noelle’s where she became a treasured legend, giving perms until she retired at age 95. Noelle’s was her home and her clients were devoted, returning not only for her impeccable service but to visit a dear friend with whom they’d share everything, some even admitting they had made the appointment just to talk and the perm was simply a bonus. In 1977, the perm returned to prominence in a big way and remained so until she retired after 76 years and over 75,000 perms. The beauty industry allowed Irene to keep a pulse on current trends and to embrace diversity and inclusion well before others of her generation. She was hip through and through and was adored by colleagues and clients alike. Despite the demanding hours at the shop, her priority was always family and she was so deeply loved by every member.
Irene had an unshakable faith and attended mass regularly and found comfort and peace in praying her rosary. She was a voracious reader, often reading into the early morning hours. Irene had a well-known love for slot machines at any casino and playing the lottery.
Throughout her beautiful life, Irene was loved dearly by all whose lives she touched and they will never forget her razor-sharp sense of humor, sass, tenacity, wit, charm, and grace. She carried an aura of joy and a spirit of light that will shine on forever through the endless memories she couldn’t help but leave us with.
Irene was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Anthony DeLuca, in 1998 and leaves behind her two daughters, Carolyn Scifo and husband Frank and Marilyn Arkins and husband Dan; five grandchildren, Peter Scifo (Jacquelen), Jennifer Scifo Baglio (Matthew), Jonathan Arkins (Jill) and Zachary and Jeremy Arkins; six great grandchildren, Nicholas and Samantha Baglio, Jude and Sage Scifo and Taylor and Jordan Arkins; and her sister, Jeanette Zezima. In addition to her parents and husband, Irene was predeceased by her siblings, John Esposito, Antoinette Inzitari and Anna Osuch.
The family would like to express their sincere thanks to Irene’s longtime caregiver, Vera Ragoonanana, for the compassionate care she gave to Irene over the years.
Family and friends may call at the Nicholas F. Cognetta Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Myrtle Avenue, Stamford on Friday, October 29, 2021 from 4:00-7:00PM. A funeral procession will be leaving the funeral home on Saturday, October 30, 2021 at 10:00 AM for a mass of Christian burial to be celebrated at 10:30AM at St. Bridget of Ireland R.C. Church, 278 Strawberry Hill Ave, in Stamford. The interment will follow mass at Queen of Peace cemetery in Stamford.
Due to the ongoing pandemic the family kindly asks that people wear face masks while attending Irene’s services.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to Make-A-Wish Foundation, Make-A-Wish America, 1702 East Highland Ave., Suite 400, Phoenix, AZ 85016 or at www.wish.org/donate.
The Nicholas F. Cognetta Funeral Home & Crematory assisted the family with Irene’s final arrangements. If you’d like to leave a message of condolence for the family please visit cognetta.com or on Facebook at facebook.com/NicholasFCognettaFuneralHomeCrematory.

Alberta “Bert” DeLeo Meceli, 80, of Stamford passed away on Saturday, March 9, 2019, in Cape Coral, Florida surrounded by her loving family after a 15year battle from cancer.

She was born in Stamford, on December 2, 1938 to the late Albert J. DeLeo and Leonora Montagnino DeLeo.

Bert graduated from SHS, Class of 1956, and went on to work as a Payroll Accounts Manager for Adley Express, McFadden Express, Hewitt Robbins, Condec Corp, Massotti & Massotti and Cortec Group before retiring. She had a passion for travel, skiing, motorcycles, and most of all, her family. She cherished being with her nieces and nephews and their children. She was also a Knights of Columbus Columbiette and a Eucharistic Minister at St. Benedict’s Church.

She is survived by her two brothers, Albert “Abby” (Rosalie) DeLeo, Salvatore “Tore” (Lori) DeLeo, two sisters, Regina “Reggie” (Joe) Cianciola, Denise “Dee” (Funzy) Colacicco and her beloved nieces and nephews and her beloved great nieces and nephews, who will miss her deeply.

Besides her parents, Bert is also predeceased by her sister, Leonora Ferro and spouse, Anthony Chic Ferro and her niece Jayne Ferro Macuirzynski.

A special Thank You to Dr. Steve Lo and Dr. Nina Imandar who took special care of her during her 15year battle with cancer.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, June 21, 2019 at 10:30AM at St. Bridget’s of Ireland RC Church, 278 Strawberry Hill Avenue, Stamford. Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in her memory to her favorite charity, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105

Brian John Riordan died in the care of Norwalk Hospital on October 15, 2021 in Norwalk, CT due to complications of vascular strokes. He was 62 years old at the time of his passing.

Brian was born in November of 1958 in Queens, NY to his parents Gerald and Miriam Riordan. He graduated from John Adams High School in 1976. He was married to Janine Riordan in 1988. The Riordans moved to Stamford, CT where they went on to welcome two sons. Brian commuted to New York City to work in finance until retiring in 2020. Brian spent his remaining time enjoying moments with his two children.

Brian was a strong and patient man with time for the sentimental. He was a supportive father who fostered and nurtured the interests and education of both his children and dedicated the time of their early lives to coaching them in sports, which was a lifelong interest of his.

Brian is survived by his son Cameron Riordan of Brooklyn, NY; his son Griffin Riordan of Stamford, CT; and his mother, Miriam Riordan and his brothers Kevin, Michael, Joseph, and John. He is preceded in death by his brother Patrick and his father, Gerald.

Brian will be laid to rest in a private ceremony. A mass of Christian burial will take place on Saturday, October 23 at 10:00am at St. Leo’s Parish, 24 Roxbury Road, in Stamford, CT. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Brian’s life.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Brian’s name at www.stjude.org/donate.

Nicholas F. Cognetta Funeral Home & Crematory was honored to assist the Riordan family with Brian’s final arrangements.

Patricia (Pat) Anrita Gamble, age 77, passed away peacefully on November 14, 2019, surrounded by her children after a near decade-long battle with Lewy Body Dementia. Pat was pre-deceased by her husband of over 40 years, Thomas Joseph Gamble.
A native of the Lynbrook, Long Island, NY, Pat was a lovely Irish lass, whose beauty, both inside and out, caught Tom’s eye early on. Married in 1964 and initially a war-bride (Vietnam), as Tom’s career as a commercial pilot took off, Tom and Pat settled in Bow, NH, to raise their family of four. Pat’s faith in God and her love of family and friends drew everyone she met instantly into her circle. A nurturer by nature, Pat was drawn to work at Bishop Brady High School for many years, where her ability to see the good in everyone made her a pseudo-mother to all she encountered and created enduring relationships. As a parishioner of St. Peter’s Church in Concord, NH, Pat was a light to those who had the good fortune to know and love her. Upon Tom’s retirement, the pair settled on the coast of Maine, where family and friends, including their six grandchildren, would gather, leaving all with unforgettable memories of humor and love to cherish.
Those who knew her will remember Pat for her grace, faith, lighthearted sense of humor, love of life and family, her perseverance during Tom’s illness, and her gentle, thoughtful spirit. If you knew Pat, you felt loved and cherished for your own unique gifts, unconditionally.
Pat leaves her sister Nancy Clark of Kennebunk, ME and four children, Thomas L Gamble of NY, NY, Terri Perriello of Scarborough ME, Denise Gamble of NY, NY, Daniel and his wife Heidi (Faretra) Gamble of Stamford, CT, along with six grandchildren, Madison Gamble, Ashley and Luke Perriello, and Emma, Danny & Casey Gamble along with many nieces, nephews, and friends.
Services will be held at the Church of St. Cecilia in Stamford, Ct, on December 12 at 10:30am. She will be buried privately alongside Tom, at Gates of Heaven, Hawthorne, NY at a later date. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations in her memory be made to the Lewy Body Dementia Association, https://www.lbda.org… or to the Church or charity of your choice.