Leonilda "Lee" Ann Wainwright (née Cassella), aged 86, passed away peacefully at home after a brief illness, on April 12, 2024, in Hamden, CT, where she was a life-long resident. Born June 15, 1937, in New Haven, daughter of Catherine Claire Cassella (née Messina) and Ferdinando Cassella, Lee grew up in the Fair Haven area. She graduated from St. Mary's High School in 1956 and received her R.N. from St. Raphael's School of Nursing in 1959. She was a wonderfully caring nurse and spent most of her career in critical care. On the staff at Yale-New Haven Hospital she worked in post anesthesia care until her retirement. After nursing school, Lee embarked on a trip to Europe, where, in England, she met Peter, the "love of her life," who followed her back "across the pond." They were married for 57 years until his death in 2019. Lee loved the seashore and over the years spent many summer weeks in Rhode Island. She was a voracious reader of all genres of literature. She loved flowers and had that magical touch with arranging them just so. She had an eye for elegance and loved antiquing, especially finding a "find." Lee loved music - classical, jazz, opera- and was a talented pianist. Many a gathering ended up with show tunes singing around the piano. She was a consummate hostess and fabulous gourmet cook. Her holiday popovers and English Christmas pudding were legend. A lover of wines and with a discerning palate, she and Peter had the good fortune of seasonally residing in a rural village in France for a period after retirement. Lee had a fun-spirited personality and a quick wit and despite many chronic medical issues, was a fighter who rarely complained. She leaves behind her daughter Heather Wainwright; granddaughter Catherine; sister Michelina Cassella Kulak, brother-in-law Leonard; nephew Michael, and relatives in England. Funeral arrangements are private. She will be forever cherished and dearly missed by her family, friends, and Ziggy, a lovable German Shorthaired Pointer who was her constant companion.