Phyllis Hesselmeyer DelGiudice

In New Haven, July 1, 2011, Phyllis Hesselmeyer DelGiudice, 84 of Hamden, wife of the late Michael J. (Mickey Dell) DelGiudice. Loving mother of David (Nancy) DelGiudice of Stamford and Stephen (Felicia) DelGiudice of Sandy Hook. Caring grandmother of Nicholas, Brianna and Samantha DelGiudice of Sandy Hook She leaves several nieces Candace Cecarelli of Branford, CT, Geraldine Pontius of Baltimore, MD and Marilyn (Jack) Mundale of Needmore, PA and a nephew, Frederick (Nancy) Pontius of Riverside, CA. Sister of the late Doris Pontius. Phyllis was born on May 28, 1927, a daughter of the late Frederick and Norma Koenig Hesselmeyer. Phyllis lived and grew up in Hamden much of her life. She attended The Gateway School then the The Westminster College and then transfered to Elmira College to complete her Bachelor's Degree in English with a minor in music. Phyllis then pursued her love of music opening up a Music Studio on Dixwell Ave. with her well know husband, The New Haven Band Leader and Musician, Mickey Dell. Her strong, nurturing, kind and most caring personality matched well in helping educate and teach children the joy of music. Phyllis then went on to receive her MA Degree in Elementary Education from Southern CT State College. She taught elementary grades and music education as a Certifed CT Teacher in Shelton, New Haven and Hamden School Districts. During retirement, Phyllis worked with her husband and used her musicianship as an accomplished teacher/pianist to organize after school musical activities for children at a number of area public and private schools. She loved to be involved in religious, civic and community activities. She was an active member of St. Thomas's Episcopal Church since 1968 and served on the Managing Board of the St.Thomas's Day School. She was a 50 year member of Alice Chapter #76, Order of the Eastern Star, where she was bestowed the honor of serving as a Past Worthy Matron of this organization in the 1960's. A most caring and loving wife, mother and grandmother, Phyllis enjoyed singing, knitting, reading, gardening, taking care of her family, playing music with her husband, days at the beach with her sons and taking care of her pets. The family wishes to thank all the most caring staff at the Hamden Healthcare Center, The Hospital of St. Raphael and The Dana-Farber Cancer Center. Special Thanks to Debbie Colandro, Christina Silvestri, Dr. Frank Mongillo III, Dr. Johanna Lasala as well as Dr. Steven Treon at the Dana–Farber Cancer Institute in helping her live an honorable and dignified Christian life. A funeral service will be held at St. Thomas's Episcopal Church, 830 Whitney Ave., New Haven on Wednesday, July 6, 2011, at 10 A.M. Friends may visit with the family at BEECHER & BENNETT, 2300 WHITNEY AVE., HAMDEN on Tuesday from 4 – 8 P.M. An Eastern Star service will be at held 6 P.M. Contributions in her memory may be made to support Waldenstrom's Macroglobulinemia Research at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, PO Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284 -9168 or online at dana-farber.org.