SEYMOUR, CT: Gayle Frances Bannon, passed away on July 3, 2026, a week shy of her 89th birthday, from complications associated with Alzheimer’s disease. Born in New Haven, CT, on July 11, 1937, she was the first child of the late Samuel and Marie (Impellitteri) DiGiorgi. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 46 years, William F. Bannon in 2004, and her great granddaughter, River Caroline Sames in 2026.
Gayle was raised in Ansonia and then was a longtime resident of Seymour until she became ill. Her formative years and many fond memories were closely tied to Main Street and the Impellitteri family business, Sam’s Restaurant. She was a graduate of St. Joseph’s School and Ansonia High School (1954), Bridgeport Hospital School of Nursing (R.N. 1957) and Southern CT State College (B.A.1984). Her career encompassed more than 50 years as a school and visiting nurse with the Town of Seymour and VNA of South Central CT. She was a long-time communicant of St. Augustine Church in Seymour.
Gayle will be best remembered for her kind heart. At a young age, she was tasked with caring for multiple siblings and did so selflessly. She was always a dedicated nurse and advocate for her patients. Later, she was a devoted wife and mother, aunt, grandmother, friend and volunteer. Gayle was a force to be reckoned with and an independent spirit who throughout her life took great joy in staying busy in her gardens or with a multitude of interests including baking, knitting, quilting, painting, reading and collecting. She loved the beach and Valley football. Each grandchild that came along was a joy and she loved visiting with them. In retirement, she thoroughly enjoyed her senior center adventures with her husband and friends. Mostly, Gayle was happiest being with family, assisting in times of need or being present in times of celebration and regaling everyone with her extraordinary stories that will live on in our hearts.
Those who will cherish these memories include daughter, Kathy Ecay (Tom) of TN, sons, Jim Bannon (Nancy) of VT and Tom Bannon (Sharon) of NJ, her absolutely beloved grandchildren, Aaron, Sara (Will Sames) and Hannah Ecay, Elly (Charlie Stephens) and Sam Bannon, Madeline, Piper and Max Bannon and great grandchildren, Liam, Luxton, and Leo Sames, and Oshie and Honey Stephens. Gayle is also survived by her beloved siblings, Georgianna DeMelis, Frances DiGiorgi, Marie Dirienzo, Sal DiGiorgi and Rita St. Jacques, all of Ansonia, as well as many all-special nieces and nephews.
Relatives and friends are invited to greet the family and pay their respects on Friday, July 24, 2026, from 9:00 am until 10:30 am in the chapel of SPINELLI-RICCIUTI FUNERAL HOME, 62 Beaver Street in Ansonia. Her funeral will then proceed to Holy Rosary Church in Ansonia for her Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 am. Inurnment will immediately follow in Mount Saint Peter’s Garden Mausoleum in Derby. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association at www.alz.org/ct or the Seymour Community Center, 20 Pine St., Seymour, CT 06483. To sign Gayle’s guestbook or share a memory, please visit www.spinelliricciutifh.com.