Paula Ann Cusano

Paula was born in Southington, the daughter of the late Dr. John and Geraldine (Fitzgerald) Cockayne.

Paula attended high school at the Notre Dame Academy of Waterbury, graduating in 1972. In 1976, Paula graduated from Ithaca College with a degree in music education. She then went on to earn a master’s degree in education from Central Connecticut State University. Paula loved her job, teaching music and 4th grade in Meriden for 33 years. She retired in 2017.

Paula loved her family and put others first her entire life. She was an excellent pianist, organist, and instructor. Paula played the organ at St. Thomas Church in Southington as a teen and was choir director at St. Dominic’s Church in Southington for a period. Aside from music, Paula loved to read, complete difficult crossword puzzles, and spend her summers in the sun at Mt. Grove Pool Club. She took great joy in watching her son play sports, never missing a baseball, basketball, or soccer game. Paula became a grandmother in 2013 and deeply cherished her time with all three of her grandsons, forming a special bond with each one.

Paula is survived by her husband Martin Cusano of Southington, her son and daughter in law Jeffrey and Lauri Daddio of Cheshire, and her three grandsons Jayce (10), Carter (6), and Tyler (1). She also leaves her brother, Father John Cockayne of Southington; her cousin and dear friends Mary and Steven Sheehan of Southington and many other cousins and extended family.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday May 24th at 10:15 am from the DellaVecchia Funeral Home, 211 N. Main St., Southington to St. Dominic Church, 1050 Flanders Rd., Southington for a Mass of Christian burial at 11 a.m. Burial will be at St. Thomas Cemetery. Calling hours will be on Tuesday from 5-7 pm.