Patricia Lee Ciardiello, 69

Patricia Lee Ciardiello, 69, of Cheshire, formerly of Hamden, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Sunday, Aug. 12, 2012 at the Hospital of Saint Raphael, New Haven.

Pat was born in Waterbury on Dec. 11, 1942, daughter of the late Thomas and Antonette (Labriola) Lee. She graduated from Southern Connecticut State University where she received her bachelor's and master's degrees in education.

Pat devoted 18 years to the Hamden Public School system as an elementary school teacher, a job she cherished. She touched the lives of children of all ages who adored and gravitated toward her.

Pat was many things to so many people - a mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, aunt, educator, advisor, mentor and friend. Her intelligence, boundless loyalty, artistic sense and fun-loving attitude made her loved by everyone that knew her. Her family was shaped by her unconditional love and devotion and will be forever changed by her passing.

Pat is survived by her son, Carmen Ciardiello of Guilford, and daughters Elizabeth Leaming of Marlborough and Sara Ciardiello of Cheshire, as well as her beloved six grandchildren who were the light of her life. Additionally, she leaves her sister and brother-in-law Rosanne (Lee) and Joseph Carlson. She was predeceased by her brother Thomas Lee Jr. 

A funeral mass will be held Friday, Aug. 17, 2012 at 10 a.m. at St. Rita Church, 1620 Whitney Ave., Hamden. Burial will follow at St. James Cemetery, Cross Street, Naugatuck. Calling hours will be from 5 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, August 16th at Beecher & Bennett, 2300 Whitney Ave. in Hamden.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Spring Glen School Fund in memory of Patricia Ciardiello, c/o Webster Bank, PO Box 10303, Waterbury, CT 06726, which will be used to enrich the lives of students at Spring Glen School in Hamden.