Late UConn Women’s Basketball Team Fan Abby Zittoun Parents Launched a Charity Foundation After Her Demise!

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Abby Zittoun, a 13-year-old fan of the UConn women’s basketball team who succumbed to cancer, is survived by her parents, Daniel and Gwen Zittoun.

She passed away on October 15, 2024, after a seven-year battle with cancer. Abby Zittoun was diagnosed with the disease when she was just 6.

Abby, known for her incredible sense of humor and support for the team, had formed a special bond with the Huskies through the Connecticut Children’s Medical Center.

Back in 2021, UConn had invited her to practice, and in nearly no time, several of the Huskies developed personal relationships with her.

Azzi Fudd said that Abby Zittoun’s face lit up when she and Carley Mooney, UConn’s director of recruiting and student-athlete development, visited her home.

Recently, the UConn women’s basketball team paid tribute by honoring the longtime fan Abby’s memory before the first half of an NCAA women’s basketball game against the Butler Bulldogs on February 2, 2025.

During the honoring event at the XL Center in Hartford, Connecticut, the basketball team wore shirts that read “Love, Abby” during warm-ups and on the bench. All the jersey were in her favorite color i.e., Purple.

Similarly, they also played some of Abby Zittoun’s favorite songs during a game.

Let alone honoring, during their 101-59 victory over ButlerUConn presented Abby’s parents’ Dan and Gwen, with a $10,000 check for the Abigail Zittoun Family Foundation.

Dan and Gwen launched “The Abigail Zittoun Family Foundation” to raise charity and help many out there who are going through similar circumstances.

Abby Zittoun’s Father, Daniel, Was an Assistant Field Hockey Coach!

Daniel Zittoun worked as an assistant principal for 15 years at Daniel Han High School since 2015 before being appointed as the principal of Hall High School in August 2013.

Besides his designation as an assistant principal, Daniel was also an assistant field hockey coach and varsity girl’s track coach.

His career highlights also include his experience working as an instructional technology specialist and fifth-grade teacher in Madison.

Later, after 11 years of serving as the principal of William Hall High School since 2013, Daniel became the Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Operations for the Farmington Public Schools in 2024.

He took to his Instagram to share the news, writing:

It would be impossible to thank all the people who have made this journey an incredible experience for my family and me. I have interacted with so many amazing people that will continue to inspire me to become a better leader, educator, husband, father and person. I am excited to be joining another incredible community and continue to grow professionally and personally.

Daniel Zittoun

Speaking of his academics, Daniel earned his undergraduate and graduate degrees at the University of Connecticut. He completed his sixth-year diploma in Educational Leadership from Southern Connecticut State University.

Abby Zittoun’s Mother, Gwen Zittoun, Is an Established School Law Attorney!

Abby’s mother, Gwen Zittoun, is a partner at Shipman & Goodwin LLP. She has held several roles at Shipman & Goodwin LLP, from associate to counselor, for almost 2 decades.

She first entered the Shipman & Goodwin LLP as an associate in September 2006, a position in which she worked for 8 years before getting promoted to counselor in January 2005.

Before getting involved with Shipman & Goodwin LLP, she functioned as a law clerk at the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.

She started her career as a counselor at Yale-New Haven Hospital in June 2000.

Speaking of her academic attributes, Gwen graduated with a JD in law from Albany Law School in 2004. She also earned a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Psychology from Emory University.

Daniel and Gwen Zittoun Have Two Daughters Besides Her!

Dan and Gwen Zittoun, alongside their two daughters, Ella and Olivia, sat behind the UConn bench while the basketball team honored Abby Zittoun on Sunday.

Her father, Daniel, recalled their previous visit in 2021, when Abby and the players bonded so quickly, saying,

They were playing a little bit of basketball, dancing, chatting. Abby really made a connection with Evina Westbrook, really bonded with Abby and she invited us to an NCAA Tournament game and it went from there. They started exchanging text messages.

Likewise, her mother, Gwen, also spoke about their instant connection; however, it didn’t come as a surprise for her, given Abby’s ability to connect with people quickly.

The connection was magical. But it doesn’t surprise me. Abby connected with people and she pulled people into her circle. She was just a little bundle of joy and happiness and fun.

Daniel wrote lengthy words of thanks to everyone who supported the Abby Zittoun Family Foundation. He wrote:

Hi all, thank you for the initial support. Apparently, since I turned 50, all my tech skills have gone out the window and I now suck at this social media thing. My first attempt went bad because once a group (Updated on Abby) is private, you can’t make it public. Strike one. So I made a new group, but the President of the Foundation (Gwen) informed me that we have to make a “Page” and not a “Group”. Strike two. So be on the lookout for the Abigail Zittoun Family Foundation Page created by Gwen Zittoun. The Foundation will also be taking applications for a new social media director!

Daniel Zittoun

In Case You Didn’t Know

  • Abby Zittoun joined the Central Connecticut softball team as part of the Team Impact Program when she was younger.
  • While going through treatment at Connecticut Children’s, Abby was asked to be an ambassador for the program.
  • Late 13-year-old Abby was in a group that attended Geno Auriemma’s charity golf event one summer and was invited to a practice.
Aditi Rai
Aditi Rai
Aditi is an avid music lover whose interest's goes beyond the realm of music, with passion in digital marketing. A Gen Z who loves her personal space and is keen to exploring new things. An optimist who seeks silver lining in every circumstances life throws at her.

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