Sylvia Hess

Sylvia Cruciotti Hess, age 101, of Hamden, formerly a resident of Wolcott for 43 years, the beloved wife of the late Howard H. Hess, passed away peacefully at home with her daughter at her side on January 6, 2022. Born in Martins Ferry, Ohio on November 14, 1920, she was the daughter of the late Frank and Mary (Orfei) Cruciotti from Martins Ferry, Ohio.
Sylvia is survived by her sister Lydia Cindric of Willoughby, Ohio, daughter Debra of Hamden, sons Craig and his wife Nancy of Wakefield, MA, John and his wife Nancy of Hollis Center, ME, her grand-daughters Rebecca Trenouth, wife of (Steve) Melrose, MA, Victoria Hess of Winnabow, NC, grandson Daniel Hess of Hollis Center, ME; two beloved great grand-daughters Paige Trenouth and Kate Trenouth of Melrose, MA and several cherished nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her first-born son, Gary, at birth, her sisters, Frances Augustine and Ellena (Elsie) Cruciotti, and two brothers Vincent Cruciotti and John Cruciotti.

At age fifteen, Sylvia lost her father in a tragic mining accident. After graduating from Martins Ferry High School in 1938, she worked to help support her mother and family. When World War II broke out, she moved to Cleveland, OH and worked enthusiastically and proudly at Fisher Body Plant as a riveter on the B-29 for the duration of the war. While working there she met and fell in love with her beloved husband, Howard.

During 2020, as a member of the American Rosie the Riveter Association (ARRA), Sylvia was excited to receive the distinguished recognition of the Congressional Gold Medal of Honor awarded collectively by President Trump to all women in the work force during World War II.

In addition to the abundant love and devotion for her family, Sylvia was an avid reader, especially of mystery and suspense novels. Being artistically talented, she enjoyed ceramics, knitting and tailoring and sharing her accomplishments with others. She was a great cook, and her meals were enjoyed by all. Sylvia was deeply devoted to Our Lord in prayer and rosary and formally a member of the Rosary Society at Saint Pius X Church in Wolcott.

Her family will be forever grateful to the medical and nursing staffs at Yale New Haven Health and U.S. Renal Dialysis Center in North Haven and the Franciscan Home Care and Hospice care for the spiritual comfort and loving care given to Sylvia.

Friends are invited to go directly to St Bridget of Sweden Church, 175 Main Street in Cheshire at 10:00 A.M on Thursday, January 13, for a Mass of Christian Burial. Interment will follow in All Saints Cemetery, 700 Middletown Avenue, North Haven. There are no calling hours.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions in Sylvia's name be made to the Franciscan Home Care and Hospice at 267 Finch Avenue, Meriden, CT 06451 or EWTN Eternal Word Television Network, 5817 Old Leeds Road, Irondale, Alabama 35210-2164.