Theresa Sestito Gambori, 94, of Madison, formerly of Lane Street, Hamden, passed away peacefully on Jan. 25 at the Guilford House. She was the beloved wife of 56 years to the late John J. Gambori. Theresa was born in Hudson County, New Jersey on Feb. 4, 1926, and was the daughter of the late Vincent and Tomasina Siriani Sestito.
She was the loving mother of Valerie Cegelka (Leo), Karen Keating (Jim), and Sheryl Mancinelli (John); loving grandmother of Kimberly Kozlowski (Greg), Peter Cegelka (Michelle), Courtney Keating (Matt), Kiersten Keating (Austin), Rocco Mancinelli (Giancarlo), and Dino Mancinelli (Brittany); and great-grandmother of Christine and Autumn Cegelka and Carmela Kozlowski. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews. She was predeceased by her brothers Vincent Sestito and Anthony and Angelo Vaccaro and a sister, Virginia Sestito.
She and her late husband were entrepreneurs of many businesses including Giovanni’s Sub Shop. Theresa also had worked as a saleswoman for the former Howland and Steinbach Department Stores, which were in the Hamden Plaza. She enjoyed taking trips to the casino, traveling with her family, being with her friends at Concord Meadows and Madison Senior Center, and playing bingo at St. Margaret’s Church. Theresa also enjoyed word games and puzzles and was an avid New York Yankees fan.
The family would like to extend a special “thank you” to all the doctors, nurses, and staff at Smilow Cancer Center of Guilford and the Guilford House for the comfort and care they provided not only to Theresa but the entire family.
Private funeral services will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, P.O. Box 50, Memphis, TN 31801-9929, or a charity of one’s choice.
The Havens Family, North Haven Funeral Home, 36 Washington Avenue, has been entrusted with the arrangements. For her online obituary, please visit www.northhavenfuneral.com.