History:
Jacqueline Esposito D’Addio was born in New haven on July 5, 1951. She was the 2 child of three girls born to Salvatore J. and Marjorie (Spinelli) Esposito. She attended St. Bernadette’s Catholic grammar School in New Haven where she was a member of the volleyball team. She then attended and graduated from Sacred Heart Academy and The Stone School of Business. She started working as a paralegal for Attorney Richard Loricco until settling in with the law firm of Amedola & Nesi for over 25 years. On May 29, 1976 at St. Bernadette’s Church, she was married to Lawrence J. D'Addio. On November 21, 1978 she gave birth to a daughter Krista Marie and on July 21, 1980 she gave birth to another daughter Tracy Lyn.
There are too many ways to say how wonderful our mom was but there will never, ever be enough words to fully describe how we feel about her. She exemplified what it was to be a truly selfless and unconditionally loving person. She would give anyone the shirt off her back, the money in her wallet or the comfort of her hugs without hesitation or concern for herself. Unknowingly, she taught us immeasurable and invaluable life lessons. We’re not sure she even knew how great the influence she had over the two of us. Her silent strength and endless compassion is something we can only strive for.
Mom had this way about her that if she met you once it was as if she’d known you forever. The way she talked and really listened, made people feel special and appreciated. Even those she met for a brief moment knew they could always count on Jackie for anything. Big or small. It didn’t matter
She always seemed to put a smile on everyone’s face, she made people laugh in the most stressful times and she has impacted so many lives by making all of us so very proud of her. She was truly full of life and always fun to be around. She was such a wonderful wife and mother, who took care of anyone who would walk through her front door. All the times spent with her were full of laughter and smiles. She always welcomed people into her home with a big hug and kiss. She was a beautiful, loving, free spirited woman who would go out of her way for anyone- always with a smile on her face. She was always there for you when you needed her and she shared her love with everyone. She always captured our attention with her story-telling and she was incredibly down to earth and just a lot of fun to be around. She was a warm, caring, sensitive, funny and jovial person. She was very kind and considerate to all her friends and it warmed our hearts and made us happy every time we were in her presence and the devotion she had to her family was incredible.
Krista was remembering the other day that she was trying to study for a really hard science test and if you knew our mom at all it’s clear to say that science wasn’t exactly her forte but she stayed up all night helping Krista study. After over 15 years Krista remembers she got a 96 on that test. The grade is insignificant but the memory of how she got it will never be forgotten. We are sure many people can tell of their own stories of how our mom did something small and yet at the time it meant the world.
As her daughters, we were spoiled by her thoughtfulness. For birthdays and holidays there were always piles and piles of gifts but she always went out of her way to do more. Our chair at the table would always be decorated with goofy balloons and streamers. Tracy would receive care packages from her at college with holiday decorations, trinkets and unfortunately apparel which she would always dress herself and roommates in. She would even send toned down version of these packages to our friends from home.
We can’t say enough about how caring and generous our mom was but she also had really fun and free-spirited personality. She was always the first one on the dance floor and the last one still shaking it when everyone else was tired. We can’t begin to count how many road trips, shopping excursions and nights spent at home ended with a smirk and a “Don’t tell your father.” The woman could spend 6 hours on one slot machine while drinking 10 large cups of coffee and never have to go to the bathroom. She liked giving the Mohegan Indians a run for their money and with her big jackpot win she may have come out even after all the years.
We can’t even get into the dancing stories. One is more insane than the next and there are too many to tell. We will say that the joy we had performing can only be surpassed by the joy my mom had in watching us. During our last year we did a tribute dance for our mom called “Thank You”. The 3 minute routine didn’t come close to representing the 20 years she spent supporting us.
When it came down to it that’s what our mom was about – being there for her family and friends and those 2 groups were interchangeable for her. From a night with her cousins to breakfast with her 2 best friends she adored the time she spent with the ones she loved. Our mom had a ritual, every Saturday morning she’d pick up the phone and call every person she knew. She would have the phone tied up for 7 hours and it would drive everyone crazy because we could never get through. She liked to know what was going on or not going on in the lives of the people she cared about. She loved being a part of everyone’s lives.
Mom was just as proud to have our father as her husband as she was to have us as her daughters. For the 3 of us she will always be alive in our hearts and in our memories. Mom enjoyed many days and vacations at the beach or by the pool. She loved wine, butterfingers, French toast, listening to Michael Bolton, working the crossword puzzles, finding the ladybugs, drinking coffee, playing with her Leroy, Jake, and Gracie, making her infamous Truffle, and dancing at any celebration or wedding. Mom passed away on February 23, 2008 at Yale new Haven hospital after a brief illness. She was a treasured wife, Cherished mother, devoted sister and true friend. She was our Teacher, counselor, referee and confidant. Today she adds another title to her extensive list: Guardian Angel.
The Jacqueline E. D’Addio Foundation was established in June of 2008 after we realized how great mom’s silent strength and endless compassion was. She had a huge influence over the two of us and each day and taught us immeasurable and invaluable life lessons. We now wish to continue in her footsteps and make a difference in our community
