Antoinette Guglielmo

Our beloved mother and grandmother, Antoinette Guglielmo (Dolly) died peacefully in her home on January 5, 2021 with her devoted family and exceptional caregiver, Karen Martin, at her side. Dolly was born on January 17, 1927 and would have been 94 on January 17, 2021. She was born and reared in Harrison, New York and moved to Stamford after she married the irrepressible Peter Guglielmo, her husband of sixty years who passed in 2006. In 2001 they moved to Norwalk where they remained. Dolly was the precious mother and grandmother, respectively, of JoAnn Powers who passed in 2017 and Peter O’Rourke who passed in 2015 – we hold them forever in our hearts. The daughter of Rocco Zuccarelli and Rosina Aiello Zuccarelli, Dolly was born into a close-knit Italian family. She was predeceased by her much-loved sisters: Elizabeth Lagana, Margaret Perrotta, Mary Zema, and brothers: George Guerreri, Joseph Zuccarelli, Carmen Zuccarelli, Victor Zuccarelli, and Henry Zuccarelli. The youngest of nine, she was a true beauty and nicknamed “Dolly” by her family. Dolly is survived by daughters Annette Lamberson of Fairfield and Rosemarie Trofa of Fairfield, sons Donnie Guglielmo of Darien and Peter Guglielmo, LCSW, LADC of Ridgefield, daughter-in-law MaryAnn Guglielmo, and sons-in-law Gary Lamberson, Florindo Trofa, and Michael Powers. She was blessed with ten grandchildren who cherished her (Holly Heffern; Tim Lamberson; Hope Lamberson-Cooper, APRN; Michael Trofa, DMD, MD; David Trofa, MD; Lisa Trofa, ND, LaC; Dane Guglielmo; Christian Guglielmo; Peter O’Rourke; and Katy Powers) and nine great-grandchildren. In addition, she leaves behind many nieces and nephews who love her. Besides being the last surviving member of her birth family, Dolly was the last surviving member of the Wilson Street best friends’ daily coffee klatch. Like sisters, these friends loved and supported each other through the joys and tribulations of family life for over thirty-five years. After moving to Norwalk, Dolly enjoyed an occasional jaunt to the casinos and playing bingo at the Norwalk Senior Center where she made some wonderful new friends. Dolly was the consummate wife, mother, and homemaker. The kitchen was her special domain and every morning she prepared a hot breakfast for her family and every evening a home-cooked, delicious dinner. Our home, where everyone received a warm welcome and platefuls of good food with sides of funny stories and laughter, was the gathering place for Sundays and holidays and summer picnics with our many aunts, uncles, and cousins; the after-dinner card games were no less raucous. Dolly always tried her best to make her family and friends happy -- never sparing herself, and our father was equally generous. Our parents and aunts and uncles have all passed, but to this day the cousins remain close. Most importantly, Dolly taught us how to live the Christian command to “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Tender and meek, she always put others ahead of herself. If she were hurt, rather than retaliate, she would turn the other cheek and forgive. If someone she loved was hurt, though, she would come to his or her defense. She taught us humility by example when she was kind in the face of unkind behavior. She practiced patience and forbearance with a listening heart and so bitterness had no power over her. She was our moral compass and our family treasure. Toward the end of her life as she grew frail and became more and more dependent, Dolly constantly worried that she might be inconveniencing someone, even though she had spent her life sacrificing herself for the needs of others. Remembering Dolly, her virtues of meekness and humility inevitably come to mind, and then the startling echo of these words of Jesus: “Learn from Me, for I am meek and humble of heart” (Matthew 11:29). How infinitely graced are we her children to have had her for our mother! Even so, our hearts are broken … The family wishes to thank Linda Jaworoski who was a compassionate and generous friend to Dolly. Dolly loved her and Linda loved her “Angel” like she would a mother. Also, to Rosemarie Trofa, daughter extraordinaire who expertly choreographed with constant love and devotion all aspects of Dolly’s care, her siblings owe a debt of gratitude beyond measure. It was to Rosemarie whom Dolly turned whenever she needed help, comfort, and support (and chicken soup). More than mother and daughter, they were the best of friends. Due to Covid-19, there will be no funeral home calling hours. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Wednesday, January 13th at 10:30 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church, 37 Schuyler Ave., Stamford, CT. Memorial donations in honor of Dolly may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (donors@stjude.org). To leave an online condolence, please visit www.lacerenzafh.com.