Fannie Katherine Amarone Testa, 95, of Hamden, passed away peacefully on April 7, 2024, surrounded by her loving family.  Fannie was the last surviving sibling born of the late Andrew and Josephine Nazario Amarone.  The New Haven Register named the Amarone’s of Wooster Street, New Haven’s Largest Family on April 22, 1938. More recently, the Amarone Family was honored by the Honorable Rosa L. DeLauro in the United States House of Representatives on Friday, September 21, 2001 who noted in the Congressional Record that “generations to come will continue in their strong traditions and will be a bright beacon for the future”.

At a young age, Fannie learned the importance of working hard and taking care of others. Fannie met the love of her life, Angelo Arthur Testa at Greist Manufacturing where the two were employed.  The two celebrated 72 years of marriage, raised four children together and subsequently, later in life, assumed primary caretaking responsibilities for two of their grandsons (Joey & Jeffrey).  Fannie served as Angelo’s primary caregiver for the last several years of their life together. Angelo’s passing, albeit devastating for her, revealed once again Fannie’s incredible strength and resilience as she sold her family home on Fieldcrest Lane in Hamden and assumed residence at Benchmark Assisted Living in Hamden where she enjoyed her daily arts and crafts and her Friday Night Bingo among the caring and loving Benchmark staff.

Fannie was the “beating heart of her family”.   She was the architect of every family occasion and tradition which brought together her beloved in-laws (John and Josephine Testa) and her four children and their families.  It was not uncommon for Fannie to single-handedly prepare holiday meals for twenty or more people gathered around her table.  Her Christmas Eve baked stuffed lobster was legendary.  Nothing gave her more pleasure than having her table or backyard filled with family, food, laughter and lively conversation. Fannie was an avid knitter. She generously gifted countless with her hand knit afghans, slippers, prayer shawls, and infant layettes. Each article was fashioned with care and detail and will forever remain a living artifact of Fannie’s love and talent. Prior to her retirement, Fannie worked as a Pharmacist’s Assistant at the former Hamden Surgical & Prescription Center.

Fannie will be eternally missed by her four children,   Joyce Planeta (Joe) of Hamden,  Loretta Testa (Jim Hass) of Southington, John Testa (Janet) of Amston,  and Ronald Testa (Michael Brosché) of Foz do Arelho, Portugal,  her five  grandchildren Joseph Vocatura (Kristin), Eric Winkler, Jeffrey Vocatura (Tasha), Brian Winkler (Monica) and Alana Pomarico, Fannie’s legacy of love will endure through her great grandchildren  Joseph Jr., Nicholas, Eric Jr., Kimberly, Caitlynn, Gabriella, Cheyenne, Adriana, Antonio, Brian Jr., Dominic, Anthony, Joshua, and Zoe, and great great grandchildren, Hunter, Nova and Hudson.    Fannie is also survived by many nieces and nephews and her beloved in-laws, Artimissa  (Artie) Carbone and Salvatore “Chick” Follo.   Fannie was predeceased by her parents and her siblings, Antoinette Poleshek, Lucy Beletsky, Stella Muzzi, Madge Mondrone, Caroline and Carmel Amarone, Rae Doebrick, Millie Anastasio, Pamela Follo. and Patsy, Benny, John, Andrew, Pat (Fannie’s fraternal twin), Joe and Nick Amarone.

The visiting hours will be on Thursday, April 11th from 4 to 7 PM at The Havens Family North Haven Funeral Home, 36 Washington Avenue.  Family and friends are invited to go directly to St. Paul VI Parish at St. Rita’s Church, 1620 Whitney Avenue, Hamden on Friday morning, April 12th at 11:00 to attend a Mass of Christian burial and are also invited to attend the committal service immediately following in St. Lawrence Cemetery.