Obituary of CAROLINE IOVANNA

Caroline Iovanna, a Stamford resident of 64 years, passed away peacefully Monday night at Stamford Hospital surrounded by her loving family and caretakers. She was born in New York City on November 11, 1919. When she was eight years old the family moved to the Bronx. She attended St Luke’s Elementary School andwas a very active member of the parish. She later attended and graduated from James Monroe High School, where she was distinguished by her academic performance, including her perfect score on the math regents exam. She met her loving husband to be in 1937, Nicholas Iovanna a Stamford resident, who was attending NYU. Later while he was in dental school they became engaged and married in May of 1942. While Dr.Iovannawas serving in Burma during WWII, Caroline worked at First National City Bank, now Citi Bank, on 5th Avenue and continually won praise for selling more war bonds then anyone in the bank. After the war they built a home in Stamford and the two worked together in the dental practice for 50 years. She was a kind and generous woman who would drive patients home who couldn’t get a ride. She was a devoted wife, and mother raising three children. The family joined St Cecilia’s parish while it was still a small church on Weed Hill Ave. She was among a generation of parishioners, mostly young parents who contributed to the building of the new St Cecilia’s which is now located on Newfield Ave. In May of 1992 she celebrated her 50th wedding anniversary and enjoyed five more years of a wonderful marriage until her husband’s death in 1997. Over the years she increasingly became a much beloved Matriarch of her family and her larger family of nieces and nephews, winning the love and respect of each new generation. She was known for her beauty inside and out. She is predeceased by her husband Dr. Nicholas Iovanna, her parents Francis and Nicola DeSalva, a brother Dr. Salvatore DeSalva and a baby sister Agnes who died when she was 2 years old. She is survived by her three children,Frances Iovanna O’Haganand her husband Dr. Richard O’Hagan of Williamsburg Virginia; Carol Iovanna, an Emmy winning reporter and film maker of Stamford; and Nicholas Iovanna of New York City; her grandchildren Christopher O’Hagan, Esq. of Dallas Texas,Tara O’Hagan of London England,Caroline O’Hagan Lazearand her husband Brad, also of Dallas Texas – and her brother, Anthony DeSalva of Redding Connecticut. Those wishing to pay their respects may call at the Lacerenza Funeral Home on Schuyler Ave in Stamford on Friday May 13th from 4 to 8 pm. The Funeral will be on Saturday May14th from St Cecilia’s Church on Newfield Ave Mass at 10:30 am. Interment will be at Queen of Peace Cemetery Stamford.