DSC Memorial Fund
1st update from the “Deidre S Caproni Memorial Fund for the Advancement of Literature & the Arts.”
The Deidre Salmona Caproni Memorial Fund for the Advancement of Literature & the Arts has been established by her family to celebrate her beautiful life. In keeping with Deidre's volunteer efforts, this fund will benefit Bethany Community Schools.
Contributions to the DSC Memorial Fund for the advancement of Literature and the Arts are managed by the Community Foundation of Greater New Haven. The fund is a donor advised fund chaired by Deidre's youngest son, Christopher. Once fully endowed @ $10,000, the fund will make an annual contribution to BCS for program goals as agreed upon by the joint steering committee. The Caproni Family has committed to provide funding directly to the BCS steering committee in year one (Fiscal 2010-11) to kick-off the program's goals.
In addition to your contribution, we are seeking corporate donations and matching grants so if you work for a company with a foundation, grants or community service program please consider applying for funds to benefit the Bethany Community Schools or matching funds to the funds raised by the DSC Memorial Fund.
Your contribution will benefit the “Bethany Community School”. You may contribute one of two ways:
With credit or debit card on the web @ http://www.cfgnh.org/Giving/GivingStories/tabid/185/Default.aspx or by mailing a check to “The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven”, 70 Audubon Street, New Haven, CT 06510. Please note the name of the fund on your check.
Deidre Salmona Caproni
From a 2001 press release prior to a speaking appearance to promote her first book:
“Deidre Caproni has lived a lifetime of stories. When she was just seven years old, she was captivated by a Boston radio program featuring “the Singing Lady,” who told stories and sang. From that time on, Mrs. Caproni’s dream was fixed – she wanted to share her favorite tales with children. And she has many stories to tell. Her childhood brought moves from Boston to Buenos Aires, Firenze to Reno and the San Francisco Bay. At the ripe old age of eighteen, Mrs. Caproni returned to make her debut and settle right back in New York City, where she was born, and bringing trunks full of experiences with her. She’s woven many of the fantasies she spun into a series of children’s stories and songs. Her first book, Hallowell’s Friends, will be published this spring. Mrs. Caproni considers herself a self-taught writer, and absolutely will not relinquish her 100-year-old Royal typewriter. Today, she makes her home in the tiny town of Bethany, Connecticut, a rural area outside of New Haven. She continues to read both her stories and literature’s classics to the children of her town.”
February 13, 1926 – November 5, 2010
Deidre passed away peacefully at home in Escondido, California on her terms after a short illness. She was born in New York City of English and Italian ancestry and lived in Boston, Buenos Aires, Reno, Woodbridge and Bethany, CT before moving to California in 2008 to be near her family where she traded her snow shovel for a beach shovel. She is preceded in death by her mother; Mary Wales Salmona of New Haven, CT and father; Riccardo Guido Salmona of Monte Carlo, France and brother; Stelio Salmona of Orange, CT. She is survived by half-sister; Rita St Jean of Angresse, France sons; Marc Caproni & wife Paulette of San Marcos, CA and Christopher Caproni & wife Robin of Mill Valley, CA, grandchildren; Lauren, Stephen, Connor and Austen and great grandchildren; Tristan and Lillian. Nephews; Riccardo and Harlan Salmona and niece; Hillary Crane.
Education: Ten Acre School (Wellesley,MA), The Branson School (Ross, CA) and Dana Hall (Wellesley,MA). The New York Drama School.
Work experience: George Jensen, New York City; Nanny to the Scarborough and Robinson children; Whitlocks Farm Book Barn, Woodbridge, CT
Deidre was a self taught pianist, published composer and author of children’s literature. Her recordings include “The Owl and the Pussycat”, “Apart”, “New York In Wintertime”,“Can this be real?”,”Cod Song”, “Little Black Fly”, and her writings include “Hallowell’s Friends”, “Dusties”, “The Fur Prince”, “Elf”, “The Day of the Fish”,”Anna”,“The Magical Shell”, “Angel” and “O”.
She was blessed with an enthusiastic spirit, flare for drama and an avid collector of all things beautiful. Larger than life in many respects, she lit up a room when entering it. Costumes, horns, answering machine recordings, aspic, cold cucumber soup, gazpacho, beef stew were her trademarks.
Volunteer work: She founded the “Literature for Lunch Program” and volunteered weekly @ Bethany Community School for over 25 years reading classic literature to children in her wonderfully funny and dramatic way. Deidre also introduced many children to dramatic and performing arts as well as the museums of the Greater New Haven area.
Recognition: Connecticut Association of Schools, 2001 Volunteer Recognition Program – “For a number of years Mrs. Caproni has read fine literature to hundreds of students in the library, in classrooms and through her Literature for Lunch Program. As a senior citizen volunteer, Mrs. Caproni is a wonderful role model who has endeared herself to students and staff members alike.”1998 Certificate of Recognition from the Bethany Community School for “Special contributions on behalf of the students.”; 1996 Letter of Commendation from Alfred Treidel, Principal of Bethany Community School for “outstanding efforts on behalf of the children at Bethany Community School” and founder of the “Literature for Lunch” program.
Activities: Downhill skiing, figure skating and performing in the Ice Capades, subscriber to the Long Wharf Theatre, Yale Repertory Theatre, Yale Symphony Orchestra, participant in Bethany’s Memorial Day parade as Mother Goose and Captain Hook. Long time member of the parish at Christ Episcopal Church.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 19th, 2011 @ 11am @ Christ Episcopal Church @ 526 Amity Road, Bethany, Connecticut, 06524 (www.christchurchbethany.org) followed by a reception @ a location to be determined. Remains to be cremated and ashes spread at Pyramid Lake, Nevada. Memorial granite marker to be placed @ Mt Auburn Cemetary, Cambridge, MA.
In lieu of flowers donations are preferred to the “Deidre Salmona Caproni Memorial Fund for the Advancement of Literature & the Arts” @ The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven. Your contribution will benefit the “Bethany Community Schools”. You may contribute one of two ways: With credit or debit card on the web @ www.cfgnh.org or by mailing a check to “The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven”, 70 Audubon Street, New Haven, CT 06510. Please note the name of the fund on your check. 
