Sharon Lee Proto

Sharon A. Proto, age 81, of Hamden passed away October 2, 2025 at Yale New Haven Hospital. Born in New Haven on August 19, 1944, she was the daughter of the late Frank and Rose (Battista) Scattarella. Sharon is survived by her daughters, Tara Proto and Kimberly Perrotti; her grandsons, Pasquale “Bub” (wife Alison) Perrotti and Nicolas Trasacco; and her great-granddaughter, Lily Perrotti, all of Hamden; her sister, Barbara Rhone of North Haven; her favorite nephew, William Rhone (wife Karen) and children Brian, William, and Shannon; and her lifelong friend, Carol Evans. Sharon was predeceased by her brother, Robert “Bob Norman” Scattarella, and brother-in-law, William Rhone, who always looked out for her.

A graduate of Hamden High School (Class of ’62) and resident of Hamden for most of her life, Sharon was a hard worker, often working several jobs at a time. She took over her late father’s business, “Perfection Cleaners,” for a number of years, and early in her career found enjoyment working at the Old Heidelberg restaurant in New Haven. Sharon loved to cook (even when she could no longer see well and added a few too many extra dashes of black pepper) and for many years enjoyed her nightly, watered-down glass of Carlo Rossi. She was once an avid bowler who loved summers at the beach in Narragansett, and danced on American Bandstand, one of her favorite claims to fame. Recently, Sharon was attached at the hip to her cell phone, and found immense joy scrolling, posting, and praying on Facebook. Forever feisty, bright, and quick-witted, Sharon spoke her mind always, and never shied away from letting you know how she felt. She refused to be shut down or censored, even when it could get her in trouble! Sharon never wavered an inch from her faith, and kept her rosary beads close under her pillow every night.

Sharon loved her Centerbrook Road neighbors – Duke and Tiny – and enjoyed weekends filled with pizza, late nights with many laughs, and old stories. She loved all of her cats, who kept her company during the day while she waited for her daughter to come home. Her grandson Nicolas always kept the house full of friends who she was always happy to see. She was “Nana” to her grandsons, as well as so many others, and was especially fond of her grandson Bub’s friend, David. During her career Sharon joined Pulmonary Associates, where she met Carol “Evans” and her family, in what would become a lifelong friendship that meant the world to her. She loved her family. Aunt Sharon and her nephew Bill had a tight bond and found countless opportunities to always have fun and get in trouble together; on football Sundays she was everyone’s “Aunt Sharon.” She loved her sister Barbara dearly and cherished the bond and childhood memories that they shared (782). She could always count on her big sister to be there and appreciated everything that she did for her. She was the fiercest advocate for her daughter Tara, and never missed a phone call. She devoted herself to making sure Tara was okay and taken care of. Sharon’s daughters and grandsons were her world, and she was the glue that held them all together. Their greatest teacher, she passed on her wisdom well, which they’ll continue to carry. She made them laugh like no one else, and always put a smile on to let them know that everything would work out for the best, even when it wasn’t easy. She was the very best mother and grandmother, and she was always there to offer her support, guidance, and unconditional love; she was their greatest fan. Sharon loved them more than anything, and they loved her the same. They always will.

Friends may visit with her family on Wednesday, October 8, 2025 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Beecher & Bennett Funeral Home, 2300 Whitney Ave., Hamden. During this time, at 6:00 p.m., a Prayer Service will be held for Sharon. Burial will be private. To send a condolence to her family, please see: www.beecherandbennett.com.