WATERBURY - Mrs. Marie Mildred (Capuano) "Cappie" Bianco, age 98, passed away peacefully on Thursday, Oct. 31, 2024, surrounded by her family, in the comfort of her home. She was the devoted wife of the late Louis Andrew Bianco, to whom she was married for 71 years.
Born on Sept. 7, 1926 in Waterbury, Marie was the daughter of the late Ralph and Anna (DeVito) Capuano. Marie was a lifelong Waterbury resident, residing in the North End of Waterbury and grew up with all her family on North Walnut Street.
Marie, "Cappie" as she was affectionately called by family and friends, graduated from Waterbury Catholic High School and was a proud graduate of Saint Mary's Hospital School of Nursing, where she received the Alice C. Mahler Award for character.
Upon graduation, Marie worked at Charlotte Hungerford Hospital and returned to Saint Mary's Hospital and worked as an instructor for a short time; worked several other units before her many years in maternity. Marie was extremely proud of her nursing career, working 40-plus years as an OB-GYN nurse in maternity at Saint Mary's Hospital.
While at Saint Mary's Hospital, Marie made many lifelong friends, including Barbara Alisi, Claire Coffee, Carol Caruso, Joanne Rainone, and Barbara Mallane. Marie maintained an 80-plus-year friendship with Annette "Tommy" Tomasiello Creto, whom she met in second grade.
Marie enjoyed gardening, refinishing furniture, needlework and traveling. Marie was dedicated to her husband Lou, and together they enjoyed traveling to many naval reunions throughout this country; but most fondly were her decades of vacationing in New Jersey, Virginia, Ocean City, Md., and Milford with her family.
Marie's most favorite roles were that of mom to her three daughters and "Gram" to her seven grandchildren. Marie attended all sporting events of her grandchildren, traveling to Vermont, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island for swim meets, football, and lacrosse games, and never missed the local baseball, softball, soccer, and football games of her grandchildren.
Marie is survived by her three daughters, Luanne Bianco Salcito and her husband Joseph of Waterbury, Judith Bianco McGuire of Waterbury, and Regina "Gina" Bianco Porter of Coventry, R.I.; her grandchildren, Arianne Salcito, Andrew Salcito, Damien Saunders, Jessica McGuire Orloski and her husband Austin, Kelsey Porter, Jacob Porter, and Julianna McGuire.
She also leaves her sisters-in-law Roberta Capuano and Anne Begnal; her cousins Donald DeVito and Rosemary Delano; as well as several generations of nieces and nephews.
Marie was predeceased by her brother Patsy Capuano and his wife Edna; her twin brother Ralph Capuano Jr.; and her sister Florence Davidson and her husband William; her sisters-in-law Rae Bianco and Vera Bianco Massaro; brothers-in-law Joseph Begnal and Rocco Massaro; and cousins Angelo and Connie Iacavone, as well as several beloved cousins of the DeVito and Capuano families.
Marie's family is grateful for the compassionate and longtime care by Dr. Jega, Dr. Kanthy Jega, and Kerri Johnson. They are also grateful to the hospice team of Hartford HealthCare at Home, her very special caregiver Treasure Charles, Lesha Robinson, and Dora Bowman; to her caregivers from Aging Better at Home and for the support of family, friends and her dearest friend, Barbara Alisi.
Marie's funeral will be on Monday, Nov. 11, 2024, at 9 a.m. from Maiorano Funeral Home, 95 Willow St., Waterbury, to the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception for a Mass at 10 a.m. Burial will follow in Mount Olivet Cemetery in Watertown. Calling hours will be on Friday evening from 4 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home.
For information, to sign the online guest book or to leave online condolences for the family, please visit maioranofuneralhome.com.