Obituary of Teresa A. Baldino

Teresa (Terri) Ann Damiano Baldino, age 80, of Shelton (formerly of Fairfield and Norwalk), passed peacefully on Tuesday, January 26, 2021 with her daughters by her side. She was predeceased 9 months prior by her husband of nearly 55 years, Thomas P. Baldino. Born in Reading, PA on August 25, 1940, she was the daughter of Samuel and Faye (Marinozzi) Damiano. She was a 1958 graduate of Norwalk High School and attended Wood Secretarial School in New York City. Terri worked as a legal secretary at American Cyanamid and the Law Offices of Sibal, Hefferan, Griffin, and Rimer. After getting married in 1965, her full attention switched to being a homemaker, which she relished. Family was always her first priority and her generous spirit and selfless nature lent itself to caring for everyone around her. That same ability to open her heart led to a lifelong love of rescue dogs, of which she had many throughout the years. Terri's two biggest passions were sewing and cooking. In creating costumes for her daughters' dance recitals, doll clothes, or prom dresses, every piece she made was perfectly crafted. Being a typical Italian-American wife/mother, she loved to cook for a crowd and the act of sharing meals brought her much happiness. Christmas Eve was her favorite: preparing the feast of the seven fishes, patiently frying pizza fritta, and arranging platters of homemade cookies for her husband to deliver to family and friends. Terri also reveled in the challenge of baking over-the-top birthday cakes, and she never failed to deliver when a family member requested something complex. Above all, however, her greatest pride and joy were her grandchildren and there's nothing she wouldn't do for them. Terri loved returning to Pennsylvania to visit family and eventually recruited her daughters, nieces, and grand-nieces for what would become an annual girls-only weekend of outlet shopping. They lovingly referred to her as the 'Sarge in Charge.' She cherished her lifelong friends Grace and Rocky Parisi and Pat and Joe DiDia. Dinner dances, vacations, and weekend visits entwined these three families forever. Terri is survived by her loving daughters Marisa Dragone (Joe Hiznay) of Milford and Laura Varone (Frank Varone) of Brooklyn, NY, her grandchildren Beau, Isabella, and Michael Dragone, her cousin, Vince Greco (Linda) and a crew of caring nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband, she was predeceased by her son-in-law, Michael J. Dragone. Due to the social concerns surrounding public gatherings at this time, all funeral arrangements and interment will be conducted privately at a later date.