Maria Zappulla

Maria Giulia (D’Appollonio) Zappulla, 66, passed away peacefully on March 16, 2018, surrounded by family and special friends that loved her, to join God, the Angels, and the rest of her precious family members, especially her dad and her beautiful daughter who were waiting for her in the heavenly Kingdom.

Maria emigrated to the United States as a small toddler with her family from Lenola, Latina, Italy, and lived in East Hartford and Wethersfield, graduating from Wethersfield High School in 1969, and graduating from Eastern Connecticut State University, Class of 1973 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education. Maria intended to become an elementary school teacher but was offered a position with the State of Connecticut Social Services Department.  She then accepted a position at Aetna Life & Casualty, solidifying a career which spanned 34 years from an Experience Rating Technician to Experience Rating Supervisor, and finally as a Senior Underwriting Analyst/Supervisor until her retirement in 2014. Maria became associated with a wonderful group of ladies, “the New York Excursion”, as the close-knit group of six took regular weekend excursions to New York which included various hotels, Broadway shows, and unique restaurants.

Maria was a true and loyal friend, mentor, and confidant who left an incredible and vivid impression on all those that she touched. This past summer, I had the honor of joining my wife at an informal get-together anniversary with her college roommates, and the unique interaction was amazing to observe, it was as if all those years had vanished… Sisters to the very end. The ladies along with their spouses, received a guided tour of the campus, and were able to retrace and locate their original third floor Burr Hall dorm room for two years, and then moved in their Junior year to the low-rise apartments until graduation.

Maria and the love of her life, her husband, Sebastian, were able to go on the trip of their lifetime to adopt two gorgeous children and complete their family. They shared their abundance of love on these two new adorable members of their family. Upon their return home, the couple became actively involved, and were instrumental as they spearheaded a Rescue Operation which culminated in the successful adoption of 18 additional children from that region, matching them with prospective adoptive parents.

Maria had constant battles with cancer most of her adult life. She defied the odds many times as she met each attack of the dreaded disease head-on from her breast lymphoma of the sternum more than 35 years ago followed by thyroid cancer five years ago, heart surgery in 2016 to replace the aortic valve and repair the miter valve, and finally ovarian/endometrial cancer, diagnosed in January, 2017.

Maria was a special and unique individual; amazingly strong and determined, who fought bravely and with valor, never relinquishing or admitting defeat to the very end. She maintained a happy, smiling face in the midst of intense pain and suffering. Maria maintained jovial, happy conversations with friends and family, never losing her sense of humor. She fought with honor and dignity, and never gave up. She was a true warrior; her body ultimately succumbing to the torture.

Maria wishes to acknowledge the wonderful care she received from the nursing staff of the 11^th floor Bliss Wing Intensive Care Unit, especially Ashley and Jason. We also want to acknowledge the wonderful work at the Causenta Cancer Treatment Center in Scottsdale, Arizona for their compassionate expression of hope. Maria also deeply appreciates the support she received from family and numerous friends for their devotion, encouragement, love, and constant attentiveness, especially that of Sue Wasik, Sandy Shumsky, and Dina Portal for their constant watchful eye. She was Never alone! Maria and her family will be forever grateful for all that her friends have done.

Maria is predeceased by her loving dad, Pasqualino (Patsy) D’Appollonio, and her beautiful daughter, Christina Zappulla. Maria is survived by her devoted and loving husband, Sebastian, who has been honored to have been a part of Maria’s life for an amazing 33 years, who will greatly miss watching UCONN women’s basketball with his partner by his side;  her adoring son, Michael, and her three adorable grandchildren, the main focus of her life, Corey Joseph Zappulla, Sophia Maria Zappulla, and Hayleigh Jade Dively as well as many aunts, uncles, and cousins here in the United States, in Lenola, Italy, and in Floridia, Sortino, and Siracusa, Italy, with whom we had an unforgettable month-long journey in 2013.

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