Obituary of Nancy DiStefano

Annunziata "Nancy" Masci DiStefano, 96, of Bridgeport, Connecticut passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 30, 2026 at Saint Vincent's Medical Center surrounded by her family.

Nancy emigrated to the United States with her mother, Maria, aboard the ship Saturnia, arriving at Ellis Island on February 5, 1947. The family settled in Archbald, Pennsylvania, where her father worked in the coal mines. Her formal schooling in Italy had ended at fourth grade, not for lack of ability, but because the road to the next school was simply too far to travel. What she lacked in formal education, she more than made up for in common sense and quiet strength. She went immediately to work in Pennsylvania, sewing baby dresses for forty cents an hour under the hard conditions of the time.

She moved to Bridgeport in 1950, where she lived the rest of her life. She married the love of her life, Antonio, on June 6, 1953 and together they raised three children, Arcangelo, Constantino and Rosemary. After Antonio's death on May 4, 1983, Nancy began working as a housekeeper at Barnett Nursing Home on Main Street. She walked there every day and while working, took care of her mother, Maria, who was a patient there. She also worked during her lifetime at an underwear factory, INJ Dress Shop and Rose Dress Shop, sewing dresses for the Garment District of New York.

Nancy was a devoted mother, grandmother, a woman of strong faith. Her love was unconditional and the values she taught will live forever in the hearts of all who knew and loved her.

Survivors include her three loving children, Arcangelo DiStefano, MD and his wife Angelina, Constantino DiStefano and his wife Jennifer and Rosemary Chiarella and her husband Domenic and seven cherished grandchildren, Teresa & Nicholas DiStefano, Toni Marie, Jessica & Rachael Chiarella and Anthony & Christina DiStefano as well as many nieces and nephews.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, June 5, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. in St. Margaret Shrine, 2523 Park Avenue, Bridgeport. Entombment will follow in the Chapel Mausoleum at St. Micheal Cemetery in Stratford. A visitation will be held on Friday morning from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. in the Abriola Parkview Funeral Home, 419 White Plains Rd., Trumbull.

The family wishes to express their heartfelt gratitude to the compassionate staff of Mosaic Jewish Home and Saint Vincent’s Medical Center for the exceptional care, kindness, and devotion they showed Nancy. Their love and attention brought comfort not only to her, but to all who love her.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Margaret Shrine, 2523 Park Avenue, Bridgeport, 06604

To leave an online condolence, please visit us at www.abriola.com.