Marie Ann (Pellegrino) Esposito passed away on February 22, 2022, following a long illness.  She was born November 3, 1935, in New Haven and graduated from Wilbur Cross High School.  She immediately began working for Southern New England Telephone Company (SNET).  She met the love of her life, Anthony (Duke) Esposito at a wedding and the two married in May of 1958.  They lived in Fair Haven until 1969 when they moved to Northford with their family.  After raising her three children and she re-joined the workforce as a Secretary in the North Haven High School Guidance Department and later as a Preschool Teacher at Kids Korner in Northford.  Marie also served as the Secretary for the Knights of the Grip for over 20 years.  She was very active in her community as a Boy Scout and Girl Scout Troop leader, Member of the St. Monica Rosary Society, and as a CCD teacher for many years. She is survived by her husband, Anthony (Duke) Esposito, children Anthony (Kathy) Esposito Jr. of Northford, Donna (Jason) Yong of Canton, MA and Michele (Dean) Vitarisi of Northford.  Marie was the beloved Nonnie to her 9 grandchildren who she loved endlessly:  Jonathan Brouillard, Noelle Esposito, Michael Yong, Sarah Vitarisi, Abigail Esposito, Grace Yong, Rachel Vitarisi, Joseph (Jay) Esposito, and Lauren Vitarisi.  She is also survived by her sister Dorothy Esposito of Punta Gorda, FL. and sister-in-law Marilyn (Sosnowski) Pellegrino of North Haven, as well as several nieces and nephews.  She is predeceased by her parents Emmanuel and Rose (Tuscano) Pellegrino, sister Bridget Castellon and her husband Ralph, brothers Anthony (Red) Pellegrino and his wife Louise (Dolly), James (Buster) Pellegrino, and brother-in-law James Esposito.

Calling hours will be held in The Havens Family, North Haven Funeral Home, 36 Washington Avenue, on Sunday, February 27th from 2 – 5pm.  A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Monday, February 28th at St. Ambrose Parish (St. Monica Church), 1331 Middletown Avenue, Northford at 12:00pm, followed by interment at All Saints Cemetery, North Haven.  The family wants to extend their gratitude to Connecticut Hospice in Branford for the love and care they provided Marie in her final stage of life.  Donations can be made in Marie’s memory to the Alzheimer’s Association at https://act.alz.org/donate.