Janet Lazzaro

Janet M. Lazzaro, 84, of Darien, passed away peacefully on Sunday, November 24, 2024. Janet was born in Stamford, CT to the late Nunzio and Mary Sgritta Losito. She spent much of her childhood in Stamford but also lived in South China, Maine, for eight years before settling in Darien in 1958. She then moved to Norwalk in 2003 moving back to Darien in 2017 where she resided for the rest of her life.
Janet grew up surrounded by a large, loving extended family and remained close with her many aunts, uncles, and cousins throughout her life. She graduated from Erskine Academy in 1957 and Merrill Business School in 1958. Baptized on May 10, 1940, Janet lived her faith daily and shared it with others.
Janet had a long and varied career. Earlier in her career she worked at Machlett Laboratories and the Sorensen Unit of Raytheon Co. and later worked at Courtland Gardens, and Curtis Brinkerhoff & Barrett, where she was employed as a legal secretary for 26 years.
She also worked for St. John’s Church in Darien, where she made a lasting impact as a Religious Education Teacher for 43 years. Her dedication to St. John’s Church extended beyond teaching. Janet served as a choir member, a Special Minister, and a Special Program Administrator for 17 years, strengthening and expanding the Religious Education Program while setting a lasting example for those who followed in her footsteps. Her unwavering faith and commitment inspired students, colleagues, and parishioners alike.
Janet loved baking, especially Christmas cookies, and enjoyed hobbies such as arts and crafts, crochet, and needlepoint. She was also an excellent cook and had a passion for shopping. Janet had a profound love of animals and generously donated to causes supporting abused children and animal shelters. Most of all, she cherished spending time with her grandchildren, Patrick, Danielle, Ava, and Ryan, creating lasting memories by baking, cooking, shopping, and playing games with them.
Janet is survived by her husband of 59 years, Joseph Lazzaro, her son David Lazzaro, and her daughter Maria Colletti and her husband Robert.
A funeral procession will leave the Nicholas F. Cognetta Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Myrtle Avenue, Stamford, CT, on Tuesday, December 3, 2024, at 12:00 PM and proceed to St. John RC Church of Darien, 1986 Post Road, Darien, CT, for a Mass of Christian Burial to be held at 12:30 PM. Interment will follow at Spring Grove Cemetery, Darien. Family and friends may call at the funeral home on Monday, December 2, 2024, from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Janet’s memory to Childhelp at www.childhelp.org/childhelp-donation or to PAWS CT at www.pawsct.org/donate.
To leave a message of condolence for the family please visit the guestbook hosted on www.cognetta.com.