Peterson, Darcie Ann (Paonessa) Peterson, of Bloomfield, Connecticut, died Wednesday, April 24, 2024 at St. Francis Hospital in Hartford, Connecticut. She was born in New Britain, daughter of the late Louis (Luigi) Samuel and Elizabeth Utah (Congetta Palmieri) Paonessa and lived many years in Simsbury prior to moving to Bloomfield in 2003.
Always the adventurer, Darcie traveled with a friend to Santa Fe, New Mexico and stayed in Texas for a while. She lived in New York with cousin Norma and her husband before moving back to Connecticut where she worked at an advertising agency on computers, starting her career in IT. She continued her career with many years at Hooker & Holcombe and ING/VOYA.
Darcie greatest joy was her family and friends, easily gathering and maintaining friendships throughout her lifetime from childhood, work and travel. She was passionate about being there for people, always ready to listen and offer good advice, if asked. Strangers she would meet would tell her about their lives. She helped shape the lives of everyone she knew. Her relationships were deep and meaningful. Her nephew and nieces remember going fast in her convertible, outings on the boat, overnights staying up late as children and so much fun!
Animals were very important to Darcie, especially the dogs she rescued over the years. On one occasion as a child, Darcie brought home a dead snake that she put in a paper bag. Much to her father’s chagrin, that snake warmed up and woke up! Animals loved Darcie, too; her mother could never yell at Darcie outside if the neighbor’s Great Dane was out or there would be one unhappy dog! Some of her favorite charities were animal rescues.
Darcie was very spiritual, learning some intuitive arts and always praying for family and friends. She attended talks about other religions with a friend, always keen on learning about people.
When her mother got dementia, Darcie worked mostly from home to care for her. After her mother’s death Darcie started going on cruises, meeting and becoming friends with a new set of people. She traveled to Greece, Alaska, the Virgin Islands, Thailand and anywhere the gang wanted to go. She would take the excursions off the ship to meet the locals and learn about their land and culture.
Darcie loved to entertain, hosting family holidays, friends’ get togethers or out of town guests. She was a wonderful cook. Her family remembers Christmas eve dinners, always with baked, stuffed shrimp and always something fancy and different for Christmas. Growing up in New Britain she enjoyed Italian and Polish food and came to love Indian and other ethnic foods. Each Good Friday the women of the family would get together to make Pizza Can, an Italian family tradition that continues at Louisa’s house.
Darcie is survived by her brother-in-law, Gordon Clarke of Amherst, NH, nephew Adam and Kristin Clarke of Harper Wood, MI, nieces Louisa and Greg Sokolowski of Shrewsbury, MA and Elissa Kahn of Amherst, NH. Also many great nieces, nephews and great, great nieces and nephews, cousins Fredrica (Anthony) Strusa, Cynthia (Reid) Mitchell, Norma Griffiths, cousin-in-law John Marcuccio and all their children and grandchildren. She was predeceased by her sister, Carolee Clarke and many cousins.
Darcie will be cremated. Memorial donations may be made to: Best Friends Animal Society (bestfriends.org); Connecticut Humane Society (cthumane.org); or other charity of your choice.
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