Obituary: Maria S. La Fogg, 97, of North Branford

Obituary courtesy of Porto Funeral Home:

Maria S. La Fogg of Branford, passed away peacefully on Sunday, August 21, 2022. Maria was born in New Haven, on January 8, 1925 to the late Joseph and Margaret Gambardella Coppola. Maria was the eldest daughter in a family of fourteen children. She helped her mother care for and raise a large family and as a young adult also took on various diverse jobs to help support the family. At the end of World War II, she married Nelson La Fogg of North Haven, began a family and eventually bought a home in North Branford where she lived for many years.

While her family was living in North Branford she attended and graduated from State Academy of Hairdressing in New Haven, and shortly thereafter became certified by the state of Connecticut to manage beauty salons. Subsequently, she owned the first professional beauty salon in North Branford called Marie’s Beauty Salon. Throughout her career she provided hairdressing services to various assisted living, convalescent and health facilities. Besides being a professional working woman, Maria also was a homemaker who enjoyed sewing, baking, and cooking. She especially liked hosting and cooking for family gatherings. As a hobby, she enthusiastically learned how to play the organ. Family meant everything to Maria. Holidays and family milestones were especially joyous events for her. She always remembered everyone’s birthday and loved the opportunity to celebrate anniversaries and other special occasions that involved getting together and sharing food. Even in her older years, she and her siblings would gather together monthly to share each other’s company and food which always included Maria’s family favorite pistachio cake. Always fastidious about her appearance she dressed carefully and savored her daily forays whether they included grocery shopping or hunting for bargains at local stores. Her smiling countenance encouraged conversation and all the store clerks knew her by name.

Her family would like to thank the compassionate staff of Branford Hills Health Care Center for their kindness to Maria during the final year and a half of her life. This was a great source of comfort to everyone. She is survived by her son Nelson L. La Fogg, Jr (Mary) and two brothers, Anthony (Phyllis) and James Coppola, three sisters, Anna Papa, Margaret Canna, and Elizabeth Streeto. Also, numerous nephews and nieces. She was predeceased by her former husband Nelson L. La Fogg, Sr and six brothers, Ralph, Joseph, John, Salvatore, Harry and William Coppola and her sisters Rose M. D’Amato and Helen Lickteig.

A graveside service was held at All Saints Cemetery in North Haven. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association at www.heart.org or American Cancer Society at www.cancer .org.