Obituary: Maria Auristella Sestito, 85, of West Haven

WEST HAVEN, CT - (From West Haven Funeral Home) Maria Auristella Sestito, 85, of West Haven, passed away peacefully on July 2, 2020.

She was born on December 11, 1934, in Santiago, Dominican Republic, daughter to the late Pedro & Teresa Valverde Saillant. Maria is survived by her husband, John J. Sestito, her children, Lisa Artache and David Sestito, three beloved grandchildren, Christian and Emily Costello and Briana Sestito, siblings Gilda Valverde and Amy Baker and many nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her siblings Cesar, Victor, Castor, Hector, Prestor and Delfina Saillant, Estela Medina and Leonor Morales.

Maria immigrated to the US in 1950 from the Dominican Republic at age 16. She worked full time, and graduated from night school in 1952. She attended City College, and then moved to CT.

She went on to attend SCSU, where she received her Bachelors, Masters, and 6th year teaching degrees. She was employed with New Haven Public Schools for 30 years, and retired as the Head of Guidance at Wilbur Cross High School.

Maria was a long time communicant at Sacred Heart Church in New Haven. She dedicated her life to Christ, to helping others and will always be remembered by those who knew her as gentle, humble and family-focused.

A graveside service will take place on July 9, 2020 at 2pm in Oak Grove Cemetery.

For more information and to leave online condolences, visit West Haven Funeral Home here.