Obituary of Mildred DeFeo

Mildred Ann DeFeo, 85, of Shelton, passed away peacefully at her home on Sunday, February 23, 2025, surrounded by her loving family. Born in Meriden, CT, on October 19, 1939, to the late Salvatore and Carmella (Masucci) DeFeo. Millie was a dedicated educator and devoted community servant. She earned her Bachelor of Science from Southern Connecticut State University in 1961, followed by a Master of Science from the University of Bridgeport in 1965. Furthering her commitment to education, she obtained a certificate of advanced study in Special Education. Millie dedicated 40 years to the Bridgeport Public School system, where she made a lasting impact as a teacher, culminating in her being named Teacher of the Year in 1994.

A woman of deep faith, Millie was a pillar of St. Lawrence Parish in Shelton. She served as parish council president, a core member of the Women of St. Lawrence, and a Eucharistic Minister and lecturer. Her dedication was recognized with the St. Augustine Medal of Service in 2010. Her commitment to service extended beyond her parish. In 2023, she received the St. Vincent’s Volunteer of the Year award for over 23 years and 4,000 hours of volunteer work, including roles in the gift shop, pastoral care, and as a Eucharistic Minister. Her generosity touched many lives through her extensive charitable giving.

She is survived by her sister-in-law, Diane DeFeo; her cherished nieces and nephews: John and Lisa DeFeo, David and Rochelle DeFeo, Leigha DeFeo, Joseph and Stephanie DeFeo, and Winter and Jason Crockett; her adored great-nieces and nephews: John and Staci DeFeo, Meredith Rose DeFeo, Vincent DeFeo, Carmella DeFeo, Evan Palyo, Lilliana DeFeo, Leo DeFeo, Tessa DeFeo, Millie Crockett, and Ben Crockett; and her great-great-niece, Audrey Rose. Her nieces and nephews held a very special place in her heart, as she did in theirs. Millie was predeceased by her parents, her brother, John DeFeo, and her sister-in-law, Rosemary Ciuci DeFeo. She will be deeply missed by her beloved St. Lawrence Parish family.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, March 1, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. directly in St. Lawrence Church, 505 Shelton Ave., Shelton. Interment will follow in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Trumbull. In lieu of flowers, Millie has requested memorial contributions to be made to St. Lawrence Church or online at https://www.stlawrenceshelton.org/giving