A Symphony of Service

Christel Truglia’s life was a masterpiece of quiet power and unwavering love. Born in Schötmar, Germany in 1936 during the shadow of World War II, she survived profound hardship before immigrating to the United States at age 11 with her mother and siblings. The loss of her father during the war marked her early years, but it also shaped the compassionate heart that would touch thousands of lives.

Settling first in Darien, Connecticut, young Christel began a journey rooted in gratitude, faith, and fierce commitment to others. After completing her education, she found her greatest blessing when she met Anthony Truglia, a church organist whose passion for music education would become their shared mission. Together, they built a beautiful family with three children: Sallyanne, Anthony Jr., and Penny, making Stamford their lifelong home.

With her brilliant blue eyes and exuberant smile, Christel welcomed all into her world of warmth. Because it was her nature to include and accept everyone, she became an honorary grandmother and auntie to generations of children who found in her the love and encouragement they needed.

The Conscience of the Legislature

For twenty remarkable years, from 1989 to 2008, Christel served as Connecticut’s State Representative for Stamford’s 145th district. She was undefeated at the polls and universally respected for her integrity, warmth, and relentless advocacy. As Assistant Majority Leader, she served on vital committees including Appropriations, Human Services, and the Select Committee on Children.

Her colleagues called her “the conscience of the legislature.” U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal described her as “the brightest of lights, always burning with compassion and courage in her fight for everyday people.” Though she may have been quiet and averse to public speaking, few had the heart to say no to her requests when she worked behind the scenes. She possessed a rare ability to charm the Appropriations Committee out of necessary funds for her worthwhile causes through sheer force of love and determination.

A Champion Born from Love

Christel’s legislative work was deeply personal. In 1996, she founded the Truglia Thumbelina Fund, a donor-advised fund of the Fairfield County Community Foundation, to meet the small but important needs of Stamford’s children when no other funding source was available. The fund’s tender name reflected her belief that even the smallest acts of kindness could transform lives.

In 2005, she co-founded David’s Treasure Tree Toy Closet at Stamford Hospital to comfort children receiving care, created in memory of David Kanarek who died of leukemia at a young age. These initiatives represented just a fraction of her generosity, drawn from what could only be described as a five-page, single-spaced resume of accomplishments, awards, and accolades.

Her commitment extended far beyond the statehouse. For over 60 years, she volunteered with organizations supporting individuals with intellectual disabilities and served on numerous commissions for aging, mental health, and children at risk. Yet among all her achievements, she was most proud of her work on behalf of children and affordable housing.

Project Music: A Family Legacy

Christel’s devotion to children was deeply intertwined with her beloved husband Anthony Truglia, a Stamford music teacher and State Senator who founded the original Project Music in the late 1960s. His vision was both simple and profound: provide free music lessons to inner-city youth within walking distance of their homes, ensuring every child could access the transformative power of music regardless of their circumstances.

For decades, Christel worked alongside Anthony in Hartford as he served in the Connecticut State Legislature. She was so instrumental to his work that she was given her own cubicle in the old Legislative Office Building. When tragedy took Anthony from her side, Christel didn’t merely mourn. She was elected in her own right to continue the work they had started together.

Years later, she helped relaunch PROJECT MUSIC in 2014 as a founding board member alongside Joyce DiCamillo and Mort Lowenthal. This 21st-century reboot of Anthony’s original vision drew inspiration from Venezuela’s El Sistema model, bringing rigorous, high-quality music education to Stamford’s youth with wraparound services including transportation, mentorship, and community partnerships.

As Joyce reflects: “Had she not been by my side as a co-founder, I could have never launched PROJECT MUSIC. She was a giant. She spent the rest of her life doing the Lord’s work and made all of us feel like ‘family.”

PROJECT MUSIC Today

Following Christel and Anthony’s vision, today’s PROJECT MUSIC continues to serve Stamford’s youth through accessible music lessons and instruments, mentorship programs that foster leadership and social cooperation, life skills development through musical discipline, community partnerships, performance opportunities that build confidence, and ongoing support from investors like you.

The program uses music education to address challenges faced by Stamford’s youth while empowering them to reach their full potential both musically and socially. Every note played, every lesson learned, carries forward the Truglia legacy of believing in the power of music to transform lives.

The Christel Truglia Fund: Continuing Her Mission

In honor of Christel’s extraordinary life and enduring legacy, PROJECT MUSIC proudly establishes the Christel Truglia Fund. This dedicated fund will provide scholarships for children who need financial assistance, instruments for students who cannot afford their own, program support to expand reach and impact, facility improvements to enhance the learning environment, and teacher training to ensure quality instruction.

Your contribution will directly support PROJECT MUSIC’s mission to transform young lives through music education, continuing the beautiful legacy that began with Anthony and was lovingly nurtured by Christel for decades. Every donation helps a child discover the transformative power of music, carrying forward Christel’s unwavering belief that all children deserve the opportunity to thrive.

On July 13, 2025, Christel entered eternal rest, surrounded by her family and friends who filled her final days with the same love she had given so freely throughout her life. She leaves behind a legacy of kindness and generosity of spirit that lives on in her surviving family and in every child whose life she touched.

A Gift of Love

Your donation to the Christel Truglia Fund is more than a contribution. It’s an act of love, of community, and of belief in a better future. In Christel’s own spirit of making things happen for those in need, we invite you to join us in ensuring that her legacy of service, compassion, and dedication to children continues through the power of music education.

We are #StrongerTogether — and her legacy makes us stronger still.

PROJECT MUSIC: Access. Inspiration. Opportunity.