Carmel Mancini Szigeti, 79, of West Haven, died peacefully on Aug. 5 at her home surrounded by her family. She leaves her sparring partner, playful friend, and husband Ernest L. Szigeti. The two met on the bumper cars at Savin Rock in 1957. She was born in S. Clemente Calluccio, Italy, on August 26, 1934, to the late Luciano and Lucia Lepere Mancini.

Carmel grew up in the Wooster Square Area of New Haven, and eagerly awaited the annual Italian Festival on Wooster Street each year. She was a volunteer at St. Regis Health Center of New Haven, a passionate New York Yankee fan, and loved to cook and listen to Italian music on the radio. She was also a true beach lover and enjoyed feeding the seagulls while she was there. A couple of times each week she would attend the Bingo at the West Haven Senior Center.

She is survived by a son, Vincent “the King” Szigeti of North Branford; two daughters, Lucia “Lucy” Szigeti of Mt. Carmel, Hamden, and Rita “the Baby” Szigeti of West Haven; a brother, Thomas A. (Maria) Mancini of East Haven; four grandchildren, Thomas S. Dobrosky, Glen J. Dobrosky, Amanda M. Szigeti, and Cheyanna R. DeRosa; one great grandchild; and many nieces and nephews.

Arrangements were handled by East Haven Memorial Funeral Home, 425 Main St., East Haven. A Funeral Mass was held at St. Michael’s Church. Burial was in East Lawn Cemetery. Please visit Carmel’s memorial page at www.easthavenmemorial.com and sign her guestbook.