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Carla Giugno

Carla Giugno, 68, of Old Saybrook, beloved wife of Dr. Kimberly Lacey, passed away with her family at her side on May 22, 2024, after a long yet courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. Carla was born Nov. 28, 1955, in Brooklyn, New York, to the late Carlo and Frances (Sudano) Giugno.

After a few years of living in New York, Carla’s family relocated to the Connecticut shoreline, settling down in Old Saybrook. She lived the majority of her life in Old Saybrook and graduated from Old Saybrook High School, Class of 1973. Carla then went on to college, where she earned a bachelor of science in nursing from Southern Connecticut State University.

Carla was truly a natural-born caregiver. Upon embarking on her dedicated career journey, Carla’s initial role was as a home care nurse. In this capacity, Carla entered the homes of and touched the lives of countless individuals, caring for their healthcare and personal needs with great skill and compassion. Carla quickly and skillfully rose to the rank of nursing supervisor and then case manager before ending her 38-year career as vice president of clinical operations of the VNA of South-Central Connecticut. Carla received many accolades and awards in her long and distinguished career to include the prestigious international Florence Nightingale Medal given by the International Committee of the Red Cross. This award is the highest international distinction that a nurse can receive. Since its inception in 1920, only approximately 1549 nurses worldwide have received this honor. Carla was also recognized as a Healthcare Hero by the VNA of South-Central Connecticut and was proudly the first recipient of the Dr. Judith Hriceniak Award for Excellence in Nursing Leadership awarded by the CAHC.

She was not only a caregiver by profession but a golden heart of true compassion and generosity. As a wife, mother, sister, and beyond, Carla always made sure that the needs of others were put before her own. She could often be found slipping family a little cash to pad their pocket and certainly making sure everyone around her was always full and never went hungry. Carla’s great joy in life was always found in being surrounded by her family and friends, sharing a meal, a laugh, a card game of 31, and filling the house with love, which truly made it a home. Her generosity, compassion, and dedication to those she loved and professionally served are just some of the traits that her family will treasure and miss the most.

Carla is survived by her beloved wife, Dr. Kimberly Lacey; her two sons, Jack and Nathan Lacey-Giugno; and her daughter, Isabel Lacey-Giugno. She also leaves behind to cherish her memory: her sister Linda (Gale) Fish; her brother Ralph (Karen) Giugno; her sister Tina (Jeff) Caron; and her mother-in-law Olivia Kundrot. She is also survived by her aunt Mary Catania, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends, her 14 chickens, and her beloved canine companion, Sophie the Shepsky.

Carla’s family received visitors from 3 to 7 p.m. Friday, May 31, at the Swan Funeral Home, 1224 Boston Post Road. Old Saybrook. A Mass of Christian Burial was held at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 1, at St. John’s Church, 161 Main Street, Old Saybrook. Interment followed at Riverside Cemetery, 59 Sheffield Street, Old Saybrook. Those who wished to attend Mass for 10 a.m. were asked to gather directly at the church.

The family wishes to extend a heartfelt thank you to the team of doctors, nurses and support staff at the Smilow Cancer Hospital for the great care given to Carla over the last several years. The Swan Funeral Home of Old Saybrook, has been entrusted with arrangements.