Elna G. Cianciolo of Guilford passed away peacefully surrounded by loving family members on Tuesday, February 10, 2015 at the St. Raphael Campus of Yale New Haven Hospital. She was 94 years old. Born in New Haven, CT on November 1, 1920, Elna was the daughter of the late Frank and Francesca Arena Cianciolo. Elna moved to Guilford at an early age and was a 1938 graduate of Guilford High School. She worked for many years in various clerical positions for the Knights of Columbus in New Haven retiring in 1985. She was a lifelong member of St. George Church in Guilford. Family was the most important attribute in Elna's life. She was exceptionally devoted to her brother, sisters and all her 1st, 2nd and 3rd generation nieces and nephews. Her greatest pleasure after retirement was partaking in family dinners, picnics and outings. She dearly loved the many hours spent in her favorite sunroom chair watching TV reruns from the 50's and 60's. She never had an angry moment. She was an exceptionally gracious person whose heart was filled with kindness and compassion for others. Despite her quiet demeanor she made everyone smile just by being in her presence. Elna was one of 13 children, 12 girls and 1 boy. She is survived by her sisters Joan Cianciolo and Catherine (Honey) Pegnataro of Branford and Rita Buonocore of North Haven. She was predeceased by her sisters Mary Lazzari, Rose DeMaio, Anna Sullivan, Dorothy, Victoria and Frances Cianciolo, Pauline Daley, Lucille Pegnataroand a brother Frank Cianciolo.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. George Church in Guilford at 11:00am on Saturday, February 14. There will be no calling hours prior to the 14th. Family and friends may visit at the Hawley Lincoln Memorial Funeral Home, Route 1, Guilford from 9:30 to 10:30 am on the 14th. Interment will be in St. George Cemetery, Guilford. The family would like to thank the staff at St. Raphael Campus Verdi 3 West and at the Hearth Gardenside in Branford for their caring and compassion. Memorial contributions may be sent to the Guilford Ambulance Association, 390 Church St., Guilford, CT 06437 or the Yale New Haven Hospital, c/o Saint Raphael Foundation, Office of Development, PO Box 1849, New Haven, CT 06508. To share a memory or condolence for the family, please visit: www.hawleylincolnmemorial.com.