Carmela Zoccali

Carmela (Spoleti) Zoccali, 81, of Norwalk CT passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, October 29, 2024 surrounded by her loving family, after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.

Born in Ceramida, Calabria, Italy on April 16, 1943, the eldest of 3 children, Carmela attended elementary school, cared for her younger siblings and learned the art of sewing.

Carmela was predeceased by her parents, Antonino Spoleti and Paola (Zagari) Spoleti, and her sister, Annunziata Leuzzi. She was also predeceased by her beloved husband of 58 years, Giuseppe Zoccali.

She is survived by her 3 adoring children, Maria Mattera and her husband David, Domenico Zoccali and his wife Karen (Roweton), and her daughter Paula Zoccali, her cherished grandchildren, Giuseppe Zoccali, Olivia and Julia Mattera.

Carmela is also survived by her brother, Vincenzo Spoleti and his wife Giuseppina (Lauricella) Spoleti, and many nieces, nephews and cousins in the U.S., Canada Australia and Italy.

Carmela, along with her family emigrated to the United States in 1978 and settled in Norwalk, CT.  She continued her art as a Seamstress, working for Draperies Incorporated and later at Bridal Couture. Over the years, she amassed many of her own clients up until her retirement in 2004.  After retiring, she began to care for her grandchildren after school.

Carmela was a revered seamstress, with a talent that not only showcased her creativeness but also her love to teach others the art of sewing.  At Draperies Inc for more than 10 years, she took the lead working directly with designers and customers in the shop and onsite to achieve perfection.

Beside her love of sewing, Carmela equally loved learning.  An avid reader since a very young age, Carmela vowed to learn the English language quickly to continue her passion for learning about World History, Geography and any other subject she found of interest as she explored many subjects and was enthralled by how much the World had to offer in books, magazines and documentaries.

Around her grandchildren she is known as the Trivia Champion, spending countless hours playing Trivia games that involved her favorite subjects.

As much as Carmela loved sewing, trivia, learning, and reading, nothing gave her more purpose or joy, than to take care of her family, and especially her grandchildren from birth to adulthood.  “Nonna” was there for every extracurricular event that her grandchildren took part in, front and center, with either flowers or gifts, and certainly a celebratory meal made by Nonna would follow.  She was a kind, faithful and devoted, Christian, Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Friend and Neighbor.

Calling hours will be held Sunday, November 3, 2024 from 3:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M. at the Raymond Funeral Home, 5 E Wall Street Norwalk, CT 06851. A funeral mass will be held November 4, 2024 at 10:00 A.M. at the St. Philip Church, 1 Father Conlon Place Norwalk, CT 06851 followed by entombment at St. John's Mausoleum, 223 Richards Ave Norwalk, CT 06850

The family would like to thank the Yale New Haven Smilow Cancer Hospital Oncology Team, and Regional Hospice, for their excellent commitment to her care.