Carol Joan Minnix Dilello, 89, of Hamden, died peacefully at her home surrounded by her family on May 25, 2024 after a brief battle with cancer. She was the beloved wife of 68 years to Dominick Dilello. Carol was born in New Haven on February 14, 1935 to the late Carroll Minnix and Clare Derbacher Minnix Holzer.

After growing up in New Haven and graduating from Hillhouse High School in 1952, Hamden became home for the next 63 years.  Carol started her secretarial career in insurance before pausing to raise her children. After they were grown, she went back to work in the medical field for the next 27 years before her retirement. Family was Carol's top priority, and her grandchildren were her world. She always enjoyed being surrounded by family and friends. Her favorite pastimes included reading, crocheting, trips to the casino and watching the New York Yankees.

Besides her husband, Carol will be loving remembered by her daughter and son-in-law, Karen & Giovanni Lavorgna; her grandchildren and their spouses, Michael & Devan Lavorgna, Melissa & Kevin Gleason, and Amanda & Evan Hoeflich; her great-grandson, Griffin; soon to be great-granddaughter, Madison; her sister, Kathleen Mitchell and her husband Irving; and sister-in-law, Rosemary Holzer. She was predeceased by her son, Michael Dilello; her stepfather, John Holzer; and her brother, John Holzer.

Funeral from BEECHER & BENNETT FUNERAL HOME, 2300 Whitney Ave., Hamden on Thursday, May 30 ^th at 10:30 a.m. for a Mass of Christian Burial in Blessed Sacrament Church, 321 Circular Ave., Hamden at 11:00 a.m., followed by her burial in Beaverdale Memorial Park. Friends are invited to visit with her family on Wednesday, May 29 ^th from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. in the funeral home. Donations in Carol's memory may be made to Ride Closer to Free at www.rideclosertofree.org or The Connecticut Hospice at www.hospice.com .