Antoinette (LaCava) Cicalese, 92, of Old Saybrook, formerly of Hartford and Rocky Hill, died peacefully Saturday morning December 29, 2012 in Old Saybrook surrounded by her loving family. Born in Hartford October 21, 1920, she was the daughter of the late Pasquale and Carmela (Laraia) LaCava. Antoinette was the wife of the late Anthony D. Cicalese to whom she had been married for 55 years. She graduated from Bulkeley High School in 1938 and was involved with the class reunion committee for over 70 years. Antoinette was a graduate of the American College of Nursing Home Administrators and was a Connecticut Licensed Nursing Home Administrator for over 25 years, proudly holding Connecticut license #29. She was the Administrator of the Mediplex of the Wethersfield, formerly Wethersfield Manor. She won the admiration and respect of countless employees and patients alike. After retirement in 1988 from Mediplex, Antoinette went back to work part-time at the D’Esopo Funeral Chapel where she served as a highly competent administrative assistant as well as Coordinator of Volunteers for the D’Esopo-Pratt Resource Center. She finally retired in 2001 at the age of 80. She was a woman of great faith, strength, determination and compassion. Over the years, she was involved in the Estuary Council of Seniors in Old Saybrook, St. Augustine’s Rosary Society, South End Senior Center, Rocky Hill Senior Center, and the St Patrick St. Anthony Social Club. She loved to crochet, making many afghans for church fairs throughout the years. She loved to entertain and prepare large dinners for friends and family and was always expected to make her signature “eggplant parmesan.” Her favorite day was Christmas Eve when the entire family would gather at her home for the traditional seafood dinner. Antoinette is survived by her loving daughter, Patricia Darmofal and her husband Richard of Old Saybrook, her devoted son Thomas Cicalese (Owner/Hoyt Funeral Homes) and his wife, Judy Maguire Cicalese, of New Canaan; grandchildren; Marc and Heather Pompei, Michael and Jessica Pompei, Cara and Michael Flaherty and Steven Cicalese; great grandchildren; Mia and Hannah Pompei, and Colton Flaherty. She also leaves three sisters; Eleanor D’Esopo, Mary Pandolfe and Anna Murasso; one brother, Dominick LaCava and his wife Annette, and sisters-in-law, Dolores LaCava, and Victoria LaCava. She leaves many nieces and nephews whom she loved deeply. In addition to her husband, Tony, she was predeceased by her son, Gerald Cicalese, brothers, Rocco and Jerry LaCava and sisters, Rose Cancelmo, and Frances Dammiller. She was also predeceased by her best friend of almost 80 years, Margaret Barone. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, January 3, 2013 at 9:30 a.m. in St. James Church, 767 Elm St. Rocky Hill with her nephew, the Reverend Jeremiah Murasso, as the celebrant. Everyone is asked to go directly to church. Burial will be in Cedar Hill Cemetery, Hartford. Friends may call at the D’Esopo Funeral Chapel, 277 Folly Brook Blvd. Wethersfield on Wednesday evening from 4-8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, PO Box 1893, Memphis, TN 38101-9950 www.stjude.org. For on-line expressions of sympathy, please visit www.desopo.com