Carol Ann Theresa (Guiney) Sapienza of West Haven passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July 23, 2019 at Yale New Hospital surrounded by her loving family. She was the beloved wife of 40 years to William J. Sapienza. Carol was born in Boston, Massachusetts to the late Charles Francis Guiney and Ellen Theresa (Leonard) Guiney. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree, cum laude, from the Boston College Connell School of Nursing and a Master of Science degree in Community Health from Boston University. Carol taught nursing at the former Peter Bent Brigham Hospital School of Nursing in Boston. Following her marriage to Bill, she moved to West Haven, and worked for the Veterans Administration Medical Center for 39 years. At the VA, she began as the Head Nurse in the Neurology Department, then moved into administration where she originated and implemented the Quality Management Program. She served as the hospital’s Risk Manager until her retirement this past January. Carol enjoyed travelling, cooking, weekends in Cape Cod, and was an avid reader of mystery novels. She was the loving and devoted mother of Jonathan Sapienza, his wife, Tracey, and Matthew Sapienza (Kristina). Beloved sister of Ellen Butler, Kathleen Guiney and Timothy Guiney (Janet). Beloved sister-in-law of Joan Lenzi (Joseph). Beloved aunt of Jeannie Butler, John Butler (Jean), Kevin Butler (Linda), Emily Guiney, Jahna Lenzi and Joseph Lenzi (Amanda). Great-aunt of Brittany Butler, Shannon Landry (Michael), Keith Butler, Kaelyn Butler, and Leonardo Lenzi. Predeceased by her brother-in-law Jack Butler.
The visiting hours will be on Sunday from 3:00 to 7:00 pm at the North Haven Funeral Home, 36 Washington Avenue. Her funeral procession will leave the funeral home on Monday morning at 9:15. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at St. Joseph’s Church, 129 Edwards Street, New Haven, CT at 10:00 a.m. Entombment will follow in the St. Lawrence Cemetery Garden Mausoleum. Should friends desire, memorial contributions may be made to the “West Haven Rotary Club Foundation” PO Box 223, West Haven, CT 06516.
I know there isn’t anything I can say to help. I worked with Carol for years and she was always helpful. She will be missed.
A person that departs from this earth never truly leaves, for they are still alive in our hearts, through us, they live on. My condolences. You and the family are in my prayers and if you need anything do not hesitate to call. May God Bless Carol
Sue and Dan Sullivan
Ellen Butler and all of Carol’s beloved family. Our condolences on the loss of your beloved Carol. She was an amazing lady of many accomplishments and so crazy about all of her family. I thoughts and prayers are with you all
My condolences to Carol’s family. I worked with Carol in QM . She was a lovely person. This past May she attended our Annual VA Retirees Luncheon and mentioned she had a good time. Very sorry for your loss.
Loving your son brought me the love of another mother, and my heart couldn’t be more grateful. There are no words to express the profound loss I feel to have had to say goodbye to the truest, most loving, and gentle woman I have ever known. I’ve known this woman over ten years but it has felt like a lifetime. You taught me so much about love, humor, and the beauty in simple things like flowers in a vase. I love you, not just as my mother in law, but as a woman I respected beyond measure. I’m not sure how I will ever look upon a fresh day knowing your hugs and kisses will no longer be felt physically, though I know you will always be within my heart. Your two sons have been so strong and have been the most gentle and loving boys you could have ever wished for, you did such a wonderful job raising the beautiful men they have grown to be. The love you and Dad shared over 40 years is a true testament that sweethearts can withstand the test of time, no matter what life throws your way. The family you so hoped and prayed would get along and love each other unconditionally are together now and will always stand by each other’s side. You were not just my mother in law, you were my mum, my friend, my confidant. I loved all of our phone conversations and banding together against the boys when they tried to pick on us (us girls needed to stick together). Rest In Peace, my sweet and devoted mum. I love you. So much. 💔 Your loving daughter, Tracey.
My sincere condolences to Carol’s family. Carol was always very helpful, sweet and willing to assist. She gave her all at the VA which was and will be appreciated for years to come.
I shared an office with Carol in Quality from 2015 until her retirement. When we had a moment, we talked about books, travels, and family, and it was obvious that her family meant the world to her. She was a wonderful person and will be greatly missed. My deepest sympathies.
Bill and family:
Please accept our sincere condolences on Carol’s passing; we fondly remember all the good times we had at various Rotary events in the past; unfortunately we are out of town and unable to attend the wake and services; all of you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Steve and Margaret Kirck
Dear Bill and family,
Our sincerest sympathy and prayers on the loss of your wife.
To Bill, Jonathan, & Mathew and Family. Carol Sapienza was truly, one of the nicest, kindness, gentlest, and beautiful women I have ever known. You are all a testimony to her love for others. I say this to remind all of us
how blessed we are to have known her. May God rest her soul and give you peace.
It is with profound sorrow that I have learned of Carol’s passing. What a pleasure it was to see and speak with her this past May at the VA Retirees’ luncheon: she seemed so upbeat… joyful upon retiring. While it may have been mainly through our work together on the QM committee at the VA that I became more closely acquainted with Carol, I consider it a blessing that our paths did cross there and in the halls over the many years we spent ‘on the hill’ together. May God grant you His grace, that your heartache is assuaged with the treasured memories of such a special and gracious lady.
In friendship and with heartfelt prayers, my deepest condolences,
Susan McGowan
I had the pleasure of meeting Carol while
Working at the VA . She would always stop
by my office at 2 in the afternoon to grab her afternoon tea we would chit chat about our day and life, she had such a beautiful kind smile and was a great person! I know I can speak for many that she is greatly missed especially by those who had the pleasure of knowing her through the VA! Prayers to Carol and her family
I’m thinking of you all….
My sincere condolences to the family. Carol was a tremendous asset to the VA Health System and I enjoyed working with her on many difficult cases. She will be dearly missed.
Dear Matt and family, my sincere condolences. May God give you strength in this difficult time.