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Christine Cottiero Massa, 88, of North Haven, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on July 6, at Whitney Health and Rehab Center, Hamden after a long illness. Christine was born in New Haven on Aug. 29, 1932, daughter of the late Philip and Julia Raiano Cottiero and a graduate of the former St. Mary’s High School, New Haven. Christine had worked for the SNET Company and Anthem Blue Cross, Blue Shield until her retirement.

Christine lived for her family and there wasn’t anything she wouldn’t do for them. To her children, she was a friend and confidant. Christine enjoyed watching UConn Women’s basketball and the Yankees with her loving husband, Joe. She was a generous, caring soul; an amazing cook; and would not let a visitor leave without food to take home. In fact, her family feels sorry for those who will never know the best chicken soup, meatballs, or spaghetti sauce ever made. She especially loved cooking Sunday lunches for her children and grandchildren who would all gather to enjoy her meals. She loved socializing and when visiting her sister and mother, the three of them would chat and get the giggles. She loved to knit and made blankets her family will treasure for years to come. Christine was a kind, warm, gentle spirit and will be greatly missed by those she leaves behind.

The family would like to extend special thanks to all her wonderful caregivers and friends at both Hamden Health Care and Whitney Manor.

She was the beloved wife of 64 years to Joseph Massa and mother of Philip Massa and his wife Ronnyann of Meriden and Cynthia Kopetz and her husband Kevin, Catherine Volpe and her husband Gregory, and Joanne Riccio and her husband Andrew, all of North Haven. She was the grandmother of Ashley and Brandon Harkinson, Joseph Massa, Christina Volpe, Gianna Massa, Gregory Volpe, Carissa and Melanie Riccio, and Angelina and Samantha Volpe; great-grandmother of Giuliana Massa; and sister-in-law of Katherine Aurora. She is also survived by cousins, nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews. She was predeceased by her siblings Grace Buonocore and Anthony Cottiero.

Family and friends were invited to visiting hours on July 10 at The Havens Family, North Haven Funeral Home. A Mass of Christian burial was celebrated in Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church, Hamden. Interment followed in All Saints Cemetery. For her online obituary, please visit www.northhavenfuneral.com.