Angelina (DeMaio) Rivera

Angelina Carmella (DeMaio) Rivera, 82, of New Haven, CT died peacefully on Thursday, February 5, 2026 at the Mary Wade Home, New Haven with her loving family by her side. Angelina was born in New Haven on July 17, 1943, a daughter of the late Charles and Mary Rose (Rubino) DeMaio and was a lifelong New Haven resident. She worked in housekeeping for many years, including ten years at Yale-New Haven Hospital, retiring thirty years ago. 

Angelina absolutely adored her family, especially her five children and her grandchildren and their families. Her faith and beliefs were very important to her as well as dearest friends, and her beloved dogs Charlie and Bailey Gina. She was thoughtful, nurturing, generous, dependable and a giver on so many levels. From her delicious meals, the joy of entertaining, her time and presence (always there for everyone in need), and her unwavering love and protection for all who she cared for. She was open, truthful and as authentic as they come!

She loved the color red!! She could never have enough cups of tea and her snacks and sweets. She was very social and enjoyed picnics, gatherings, parties/events and just sharing in others' happiness. She loved music, especially Elvis and Freddy Fender. Her favorite pastimes were shopping and decorating, knick knacks galore, cooking Italian and Spanish food, watching her tv shows and soap operas, ceramics and painting crafts, gardening/plants and flowers, and being on her phone as well as social media. Angelina was a big believer in the power of prayer through her candles and her dreams, with so many loved ones benefitting from her insights as well as her heartfelt advice. 

She was feisty, strong and resilient, yet always tender and kind. She had a great sense of humor, and was trustworthy, and a best friend to many (especially her grandkids). She will be dearly missed, and those who knew her will cherish every moment that was spent together.

Angelina is survived by two daughters, Mary Rose Rivera of Utuado, Puerto Rico and Angelina Maria Rivera-Noone and her husband James Noone of Wallingford, three sons, Cecilio Joseph Rivera, Jr and his former partner Jacquelyn Surro of New Haven, Juan "Johnny" Antonio (Andrea) Plaza  of East Haven and Anthony J. Plaza of Wallingford, eleven grandchildren, Diana Marie (Tony) Rivera, Alyssa Piekarski, Amanda (Joseph) Renouf, Samantha Allesandrine, Christopher (Nicole) Rivera, Ryan Noone, Aleiya Noone and Brandon Noone, Julia Belzer, Mariah Belzer and Alivia Rivera, three great-grandchildren, Jada, Aiden and Willow, and many loving nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins and friends. She was predeceased by her son-in-law, Tony Rivera, sister Anne Casbarro, four brothers, Salvatore, Nicholas and Charles DeMaio, and her twin brother, Antonio DeMaio, and her granddaughter Jessica Mercado. 

Relatives and friends are invited to join Angelina's family on Thursday, February 12th at 10:00 a.m. for a Mass of Christian Burial which will be celebrated at St. Mary Church (Blessed Fr. McGivney Parish), 5 Hillhouse Ave., New Haven. Following the Mass, Angelina's funeral cortege will proceed to All Saints Cemetery, 700 Middletown Ave. for burial. The Washington Memorial Funeral Home, 4 Washington Ave., North Haven has been entrusted with arrangements. www.washingtonmemorialfh.com

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