Debra Ann DeNardis, 49, of Rocky Hill, Connecticut, formerly of North Haven, passed away on Tuesday, September 6 after a long and courageous battle with cancer, surrounded by her loving family. She was the beloved life partner of Donna Pizzo and daughter of Ray and Betty (Criscuolo) DeNardis of North Haven, Connecticut.

Deb was a loving partner, daughter, sister, sister-in-law, aunt, grandmother, and friend. She grew up in North Haven, Connecticut, and was a 1979 North Haven High School graduate. She graduated from the University of Connecticut in 1983 and was an avid UCONN supporter and fan, particularly of the women’s basketball team. Deb worked at Aetna for 27 years starting out as programmer trainee and achieved great respect for her skill and expertise as she was promoted through the ranks to a high level of management.
Deb’s home was always filled with love, laughter and good food. She loved to cook and entertain and knew how to throw a great party. All who knew and loved her will always remember her “martini shaking face”. Her smile would light up any room she entered. She made friends with everyone she met and loved to have fun. She adored her nieces, nephews and grandchildren and a day didn’t go by that she wasn’t telling some story about one or all of them. She also loved the church family at Church of Christ Congregational in Newington, Connecticut. Travel was a favorite past time of Deb’s. She traveled to so many wonderful places but loved Cape Cod the best, especially golfing and kayaking with Donna.

Deb leaves a very large and loving family. She leaves her life partner, Donna Pizzo, her parents, Ray and Betty DeNardis, her brother Ray of Wallingford, sister-in-law, Deb, and their children, Chris, Chad and Carly; her brother Rich, sister-in-law, Diane, and their children Gary and Alyssa; her step-children, Sandra and Mike Criscuolo and their children, Lucy (the dudes) and Eric, Adam and Michelle Pizzo and their children, Stella and Miles. She also leaves numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

Her Funeral Procession will leave the North Haven Funeral Home, 36 Washington Ave., Friday morning at 10:30. A mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in St. Barnabas Church at 11:00. Interment will follow in All Saints Cemetery, North Haven. The visiting hours will be Thursday, September 8th from 4 to 8 PM. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made to the St. Francis Hospital Cancer Center, 94 Woodland Street, Hartford, CT 06105.