ORMOND BEACH, Fla. – Jolene (Seely) Giannone, 77, of Ormond Beach, Fla., and formerly of Ansonia and Naugatuck, Conn., died in Florida on Monday, Feb. 19, 2024, following a long battle with cancer.
She was born in Connecticut on Jan. 5, 1947, the daughter of the late Joseph and Elena (Alu) Seely, and was also predeceased by her father and mother-in-law, Frank A. and Alicia (Lycett) Giannone; sister-in-law, Sue (Ciccone) Seely and brother-in-law, Richard Santa Maria.
Jolene is survived by her loving husband of more than 50 years, Frank M. Giannone of Ormond Beach; her brother, Eugene (Skip) Seely of Naugatuck, Conn.; brother-in-law, David Giannone (Pam) of Port St. Lucie, Fla.; sisters-in-law, Sharon Brangaccio (Russell) of Conway, S.C., and Barbara Santa Maria of Watertown, Conn.
Additionally, she leaves nieces Susan Seely Monsam (fiance Anthony Amoroso) of Prospect, Conn., Jennifer Brangaccio Marks (Russell) of Keswick, Va., and Emily Ginocchio of Port St. Lucie, Fla.; nephews Joseph Seely (Traci) of Cheshire, Conn., Jason Seely of Prospect, Conn., John Brangaccio (Jessica) of Green Castle, Pa., Michael Ginocchio (Samantha) of Port St. Lucie, Fla., and Nicholas and Robert Santa Maria of Connecticut; and also her great-nieces, Ashley Monsam Arias (Jefferson) of Cheshire, Conn., Sarah Seely Hurd (Matthew) of Naugatuck, Conn., and Sophia Lynn Seely, Emma Longo and Isabella Markeveys of Prospect, Conn.; along with great-nephews Andrew Monsam of Middletown, Conn., Russell and Ryan Marks of Keswick, Va., and Oz Brangaccio of Green Castle, Pa.; and great-great-nephews Jacob and Ryan Hurd of Naugatuck, Conn., and Nathan and Bradley Arias of Cheshire, Conn.; and several dear cousins and friends.
A 1964 graduate of Ansonia High School, Jolene worked as an executive secretary/administrative assistant for more than 40 years, first retiring from Uniroyal in 1985, and later and most recently from Connecticut Community Care in 2016.
She loved music, dance, cooking, and crafts and had in recent years, become an accomplished genealogist. She had a special place in her heart for pets and birds. She practiced her Christian faith at the Ansonia Holy Rosary R.C. Church and the Orange Congregational Church in Connecticut, where she enjoyed being a member of the hand bell choir for several years.
The family wishes to extend special thanks and appreciation to The Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Fla., and Florida Cancer Specialists and Research Institute at Advent Health, Daytona Beach, Fla., for their kind and compassionate care, and to Jolene’s long-distance meditation coach and self-appointed private duty nurse, John and Donna Gaudio, for their unwavering love and support.
One of the bright lights during Jolene’s illness was the reconnection with so many of her high school classmates who truly became her “band of angels,” keeping her spirits high with their calls, cards and prayers. Frank has promised to continue forever holding them and their families in his prayers as they navigate through their own challenges.
In accordance with Jolene’s wishes, funeral arrangements are private and there will be no calling hours. Her cremains will be scattered at sea in Florida.
In lieu of flowers or gifts, family and friends may honor her memory with a kind deed or contribution to any charity of their choosing.
The Alderson-Ford Funeral Home of Naugatuck is assisting with arrangements. For online condolences, to share a photo or a story, please visit fordfh.com.
