Brigida Erminia DiMaio

Brigida Erminia DiMaio, of Port Jefferson, New York, passed away peacefully on Friday, May 22, 2026, at the age of 88.

Born on October 2, 1937, in Brooklyn, New York, Brigida was the beloved daughter of Giovanna and Salvatore Gigante. She was predeceased by her husband, Mario DiMaio, and her brother, Nicholas Gigante.

She is survived by her loving sister, Erminia Gigante; her children, Melinda DiMaio of Philadelphia, PA, Cinthia Weitz (Randy Weitz) of Stony Brook, NY, and Gabriel DiMaio (Amy DiMaio) of Buffalo, NY. She was a proud and cherished grandmother to Mia DiMaio (Paul Noël Digard), Kaylee Gallagher (Andrew Gallagher), McKenzie Weitz (Thomas Webster), Chelsea Weitz, and Joseph DiMaio.

Brigida graduated from Plainedge High School and went on to earn her bachelor’s degree from St. John’s University. She built a long and meaningful career as a hairstylist and salon owner alongside her late husband, Mario, before sharing her passion and expertise as a cosmetology teacher with Eastern Suffolk BOCES. Even in retirement, she continued to give her time and talents, contributing to fundraising efforts at Peconic Bay Medical Center, where her creativity shone - especially in organizing and styling fashion shows.

A woman of vibrant energy and indomitable spirit, Brigida expressed her life force in countless ways. Beyond her work in cosmetology, she loved to sing and dance, participating in community theater as a young mother and enjoying ballroom dancing in her later years. Brigida took great joy in exploring creative pursuits such as cake decorating, flower arranging, and gardening. She brought an intuitive sense of style to everything she touched, with a gift for elevating her surroundings - from her home to the extravagantly wrapped presents she gave, often adorned with handmade bows. She was also a fabulous cook who delighted in gathering loved ones around the table to share delicious food and colorful stories.

Brigida embraced life with enthusiasm and joy. She was an adventurous traveler who cherished her many journeys and was especially fond of Morocco, Portugal, the Caribbean, and her ancestral home of Sicily. Closer to home, she relished the beauty of the Long Island beaches and the East End, where she made her home in her later years. Known for her radiant smile, infectious laughter, and her generous heart, she brought light and warmth to every room she entered.

She was deeply loved by her family and friends and will be missed beyond measure.

A celebration of life will be planned at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to Good Shepherd Hospice Services of Port Jefferson.