Joyce Cieri DeLeo

October 19, 1926 - November 23, 2016

Joyce Cieri DeLeo, 90, of Wethersfield, devoted wife of the late J. Paul DeLeo, passed away peacefully on Nov. 23 with her two beloved daughters Bernice and Maria DeLeo by her side. Joyce was born in Hartford, CT to Amelia and Dominick Cieri, and graduated from Weaver High in 1944. As a young adult, Joyce didn’t hesitate to take on the role of caregiver for her sister, Bernice who struggled many years with polio before passing in 1963. Joyce’s love of music landed her a job in the Pop Records department of G Fox where she developed and implemented an innovative filing system. She and husband Paul owned/operated the Paul DeLeo Supper Club of E. Hartford, formerly the Old Town Hall Inn, where many celebrities including Totie Fields, Woody Herman, and Dizzy Gillespie performed. Although never a professional performer herself, Joyce will be remembered for her many impromptu “performances” on and off stage including her comic rendition of “Temptation”. At home Joyce hosted countless parties and holidays where everyone looked forward to her mouthwatering meals, most notably her meatballs & sauce, veal francese and banana bread. She relished spending summers in Indian Town, Old Saybrook with her sisters and families. After her children had grown, Joyce became office manager for her longtime and dear friend, Alyce at the Alyce Carella Dance Centers in Wethersfield and West Hartford. All through her life, and especially in her later years, Joyce loved exercising her consummate card playing skills. Whether with family and friends, or at the casino, she was most relaxed with a deck of cards in her hand. She is survived by her daughters; son-in-laws Robert Schagrin and Pepe Gimena; grandson Sam Schagrin; brother Dominick Cieri Sr, and many loving relatives and cherished friends. Sisters Dolly D’Angona, Lucille Vaughan, and Bernice Cieri predecease Joyce. The family wishes to extend deepest gratitude to Joyce’s loving and faithful caregivers, Michele Magennis, Jen Crandall, and especially Glovanny Quintana, for her daily devotion to Joyce’s physical and emotional well being. Services will be held at Rose Hill of Rocky Hill, CT on Thursday. Calling hour from 11:30 – 12:30 with blessing and burial immediately following. For full obituary and online condolences please visit www.rosehillfuneralhomes.com. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to Development Office, CT Community Care, Inc. 43 Enterprise Drive. Bristol 06010. CCCI provides comprehensive support to help people remain at home.