Gloria Ann Caruso of Hamden, CT, aged 78, passed away on June 7, 2021. Gloria, daughter of Philip and Caroline (Fappiano) Collesano of East Haven, CT, was born in New Haven, CT, December 14, 1942. She pre-deceases her four children, Leslie Hazen (Francis Albis) of Hamden, CT; Carol Hazen of San Diego, CA; Damian Caruso (Laura Caruso) of Prospect, CT; Erica Jerolman (George Jerolman) of Hamden, CT; eleven grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and seven canine grandchildren. Gloria graduated from East Haven High School.  She worked in the Youth Services Bureau in the Town of Hamden for the past 20 years, where she leaves behind many cherished colleagues. Gloria loved the sun, sand, and ocean, spending as much time as possible at the beach. She was a great cook, known especially for her Christmas cheesecake. She enjoyed cooking classes and culinary travels to Italy, France, and California. A free spirit, Gloria was known to sport vibrant hair color and bedazzled clothing styles. She was nicknamed a “colorful lady” by her nurses at Smilow Cancer Hospital in New Haven. Gloria was deeply proud of her family and relished spending time celebrating holidays, birthdays, sporting events, graduations and weddings with them. Her outgoing personality and beautiful smile will be missed by all.  

The Havens Family, North Haven Funeral Home, 36 Washington Avenue has been entrusted with the arrangement.  In lieu of visitation, memorial contributions may be made to The Animal Haven in North Haven or Smilow Cancer Hospital in New Haven. A private memorial service will be planned at the convenience of the family.