Carmella ("Carm") Virginia Piacentini, 78, a lifelong resident of Darien, CT, passed away on Friday, June 17, 2016.
Born on July 13, 1937 in Stamford, the daughter of the late Fortuna and Caroline (Guarino) Piacentini. Carmella's father owned and operated Fortune Metalcraft in Darien.
She is survived by her aunt and uncle, Yolanda (Guarino) and Anthony Perugini; her cousin and caregiver, Judy (Perugini) Coppola and her husband Ted; her cousins, Lorraine DeNicola of Charleston, South Carolina;Frank Blefari of Pawling, NY; Louis Cannella (wife Barbara) of Shelton; Frank Cannella(wife Pam) of Darien and Angelina Fabricatore of Stamford.
Carmella was a graduate of Darien High School and received a BA from the University of Connecticut. Her professional career spanned over 35 years at Olin Corporation. When asked what she did at Olin, she took pleasure in saying "I give money away" as Sr. Corporate Contributions Manager. Carmella served as a member of the Fairfield County Contributions Group, and the Contributions Advisory Group in New York City. She served on the Board of the United Way of Norwalk/Wilton and chaired the Foundation Committee of the Maritime Aquarium in Norwalk. Carmella was honored in 1974 by the Young Women's Christian Association "Salute to Women" for her accomplishment in business and her contribution to civic activities.
Carmella was also an accomplished classical pianist. She was a student of Maria Luisa Faini from 1952 and throughout her training at the Hartford School of Music until her graduation in 1959. Carmella served on the faculty of the Hartford and West Hartford Schools of Music as assistant teacher to Ms. Faini, the Westport School of Music and Yale School of Music. From 1956-1959, Carmella performed solo recitals, radio performances and chamber music recitals in Connecticut, Massachusetts and New York City.
Carmella's musical career began in 1961 when she and violinist Mary Lou Galen performed 35 concerts throughout Mexico. During that tour, they played a command performance for Mexico's then President Adolofo Lopez Mateos. Her crowning achievement was her debut at Carnegie Hall in 1965.
Throughout the 1970's, Carmella helped to bring superior classical music and opera productions to lower Fairfield County. She was one of the founding members of State Opera, Inc. of Stamford and served on its Board of Directors. Carmella performed at many of the benefit concerts for the State Opera, most often with the organization's Artistic Director and renowned tenor, Giovanni Consiglio.
In addition to her music, Carmella also loved the Italian language and culture. She spoke fluent Italian and always strived to improve her conversational Italian.
Carmella most delighted in expressing her musical talent when she played for her family. Any holiday or family gathering became a joyous event when all the Italian sheet music appeared and we gathered around her piano to sing along. Those events were almost always followed by her homemade cream puffs or cakes.
Her talent was placed on hold in the early 2000's when she cared for her mother, Caroline, until her death in 2010. Carmella was a devoted daughter to the mother who cheered "Brava!" at every concert!
Carmella's talent, love of family and joy for life will live in our hearts always!
Carmella's family wishes to thank: Dr. Henry Beecher and the doctors and staff at Stamford Hospital Bennett Cancer Center's Hematology Oncology department, especially Dr. Michael Bar and Dr. Salvatore Del Prete. Stamford Hospital's dedicated and compassionate oncology nursing staff on 3 North. The Visiting Nurse and Hospice of Fairfield County team of Dede, Ruthann and Rev. Karen. Your compassion, encouragement and comfort ministry will never be forgotten. St. John's Fr. Frank and Geri who brought Christ and His love to Carmella.
A special thank you to Carmella's daily caregivers: Laure, Kettely, Jackie and Selina. Your devotion to Carmella's medical, emotional and spiritual well-being is appreciated beyond words. Carmella's family is extremely grateful for the love and comfort you provided her in these past few months.
Relatives and friends may call at the Lacerenza Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 8 Schuyler Avenue, Stamford, CT on Tuesday, June 21, 2016 from 3:00-7:00PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, June 22, 2016 at 10:30AM at St. John's Church, 1986 Post Road, Darien, CT. Interment will follow at St. John's Cemetery, Darien, CT.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Carmella's name tothe Little Workers of the Sacred Hearts, 635 Glenbrook Road, Stamford CT 06906 or to Visiting Nurse and Hospice of Fairfield County, P.O. Box 489, Wilton CT 06897.