Avon Obituary: Sandra Piccirillo, 63

Sandra Everett Piccirillo of Avon passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, July 31. She was the wife of the Rev. Joseph Piccirillo, pastor of the Memorial United Methodist Church, Avon, and firefighter in the Nichols Fire Department, Trumbull and Avon Volunteer Fire Department, Avon.

Born January 3, 1953, in Bridgeport, she was the daughter of Sally Grady Everett and William Everett Sr. of Milford. Sandra grew up in Milford, where as a teen she enjoyed her summers teaching swimming for the American Red Cross as a Certified Water Safety Instructor. She also enjoyed performing and managing productions in the Milford Project Theatre.

Sandra graduated from Jonathan Law High School and continued her education at Southern Connecticut State University, graduating with a BA in Special Education and a Masters in Art Education. She held a State certification in Art Education, grades K-12. She taught art at Kolbe Cathedral High School, Bridgeport and The Lorraine D. Faster School, Hamden.

In addition to art, she enjoyed dancing and earlier in life was employed as a Dance Instructor at Arthur Murray’s in the Fairfield and West Haven studios. Later, as a pastor’s wife, she contributed to the life of the churches Joseph served, in her love for the Lord and applying her creative spirit in ministry as a member of the vocal and bell choirs, performing in church musicals, painting murals, and hosting dinner dances and bakery fund-raisers.

In addition to her husband and her parents, she leaves her brother, William Everett Jr. of Milford; her father and mother-in-law, Joseph and Phyllis Piccirillo of Trumbull; brother-in-law, David Piccirillo and wife, Francesca Marini Piccirillo of Trumbull; sister-in-law, Susan Rotunda and partner, Lina Mitchell of Milford, along with several nieces and nephews.

A Christian Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, August 6th at 2 p.m. at the Nichols United Methodist Church, 35 Shelton Road, Trumbull.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the First Shelton United Methodist Church, 188 Rocky Rest Road, Shelton, CT 06484; the Nichols United Methodist Church, 35 Shelton Road, Trumbull, CT 06611; the Memorial United Methodist Church, 867 West Avon Road, Avon, CT 06001; and Masonicare Hospice, 111 Founders Plaza, East Hartford, CT 06108.

Arrangements are being handled by Ahern Funeral Home Inc.