Former University of New Haven student Nicolette Dammacco-Charles, of Massapequa, New York, died on Monday from complications of sickle cell thalassemia, an inherited blood disease. 

Ms. Dammacco-Charles was 25.

Ms. Dammacco-Charles graduated from the University of New Haven in 2016 with a degree in communication. She worked for a variety of publications, including People and Essence online magazines. She also worked for MLB, Major League Baseball, and was most recently employed by MTV.

According to her mother, Jo-Ann Dammacco, Ms.Dammacco was dedicated to her sorority, Phi Sigma Sigma, where she served on the executive board as a member-at-large.

Ms. Dammacco “was an incredible artist” and played several instruments, including piano and guitar, her mother said. Her friends remember her as a kind person and a good friend.

“I am broken, but I am whole because I know where she is,” said Mrs. Dammacco. “She touched a lot of people’s lives, more than I even knew.” 

Steven A. Raucher, University of New Haven communication professor, said he remembers Ms. Dammacco as a “happy, energetic student, committed to her classwork, her friends, and her community.” 

He said Ms. Dammacco “was open to trying anything.”

In addition to her mother, Ms. Dammacco is survived by her father, Harold Charles; her stepfather, Will Boykin; her sister, Joanna; her grandmother, Theresa Dammacco; her uncle, John Dammacco; her aunt, Cathy Dammacco-Savas; her cousins, and her sorority sisters, whom she considered family. 

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Ms. Dammacco-Charles’ name to the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America, 7240 Parkway Drive, Suite 180 Hanover, Maryland 21076.  

Family will receive friends from 2-6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 29, at Powell Funeral Home Inc. 67 Broadway Amityville, New York. A funeral service will follow at 6 p.m. at the same location.

Funeral Home is a five minute walk from the Amityville Train Station– LIRR, Babylon Branch.