Italia "Ty Giacco

Italia "Ty" Giacco June 10, 1928 - July 7, 2026Italia "Ty" Massa Giacco, age 98, passed away peacefully on July 7, 2026, after a brief illness at Vitas Hospice, St. Mary's Hospital, Waterbury, CT where she was lovingly cared-for by the nurses, chaplain, and family. During the last six months of her life since the death of her husband Sebastian on January 3, 2026, Italia was cared for with great love and attention by her children Valerie and husband Andrew Slee, Geoffrey and wife Lissa Giacco, her grandchildren and spouses, other family members, close friends and neighbors, along with her loving aides. She is united for eternity with her beloved Sebastian after seventy-five years of marriage. She was a faithful member of St. Sebastian's Church in Middletown CT and attended Mass up to three weeks before her death. Italia was a loving, generous, enthusiastic wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, and friend. Raised in Wheeling, West Virginia, the daughter of Henry and Antonina Massa, she attended Mount de Chantal Academy and studied music at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, MA where she met her husband. She completed her study of piano, earning a B.A. in music from the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music where she also led a children's choir. She performed as a concert pianist before marrying Sebastian in 1951, and after having two children, she taught piano lessons to hundreds of area children. Later, she made learning through books exciting for the students in her library at Valley View School in Portland, CT, where her kindergarten "Magic Carpet" took children around the world to learn about diverse cultures. Upon retirement, she volunteered at Gianelli's Preschool in Middletown for several years. She was an avid watercolor painter, studying under Shannon Faust, leaving us all with beautiful art to remember her by. Italia was an exuberant, loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, adoring her three grandchildren, Emily Menard and husband Jeffrey, Brendon Slee and Talia Theriault and husband Scott, and her five great-grandchildren, Matthew and Andrew Menard and Colton, Benjamin, and Addison Theriault. She would do anything for her family. She taught every child she met about art, artists, and music, and was the best storyteller, enriching their lives forever. The wake will be held at D'Angelo Funeral Home, 22 S. Main St., Middletown, CT. on Thursday, July 30, 2026, from 5:30-7:30 PM. The Funeral Mass will be held Friday, July 31, 2026 at 10 AM at St. Sebastian's Church, 155 Washington St., Middletown, CT 06457, followed by burial of the urn at St. Sebastian's Cemetery in Middlefield, CT. Funeral luncheon will be at Café Fiore, 134 Berlin Rd., Cromwell, CT. 06416. All are invited.To honor Italia and her love of hats and bright colors, we ask that women consider wearing a hat to the funeral, and that all attendees refrain from wearing all black.Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to the following charities:1. The Mast Cell Disease Society: www.tmsforacure.org Click on the donate button online.Please Indicate in honor of Italia Giacco, mother of retired Chairman Valerie Giacco Slee and direct donations to go to Research please.2. Valley View School Library, 81 High St., Portland, CT 06480Indicate in honor of Italia Giacco, former librarian.3. Gianelli's preschool, 67 Round Hill Rd., Middletown, CT 06457www.gianelliselc.org Amazon wish list on their website. In honor of Italia Giacco.