“Bob” Robert Hatcher Weiss, 90, Died; Westporter, Veteran, Businessman
Robert Hatcher Weiss, “Bob”, in Westport, formerly of Boston, passed away peacefully at home with his wife, Joyce at his side on January 15, 2022.
He was born in Cambridge on September 11, 1931, the son of Elizabeth and Dr. Soma Weiss. During his childhood, he developed a deep sense of curiosity during his summers in Keene Valley, NY, and enhanced his early education at Shady Hill School and Milton Academy (class of 1950). He received a Bachelor's Degree from Harvard College (class of 1954), where he became the varsity hockey team manager as a freshman. In his sophomore year, he was introduced to the discipline of writing by becoming the Harvard sports correspondent for the Boston Herald American.
After graduating from college, Bob served in the U.S. Army Field Artillery, 1954-1956, and was stationed in Germany where he met his first wife, Ruth Underwood, and subsequently had four children. He held a number of positions in various advertising and marketing companies. In 1972, he created Robert Weiss Associates, a public relations and marketing company which worked with a variety of clients including the CVS Roadside Service Program, Gillette's Introduction of the PaperMate Erasable Pen, King Arthur Flour, Purdue Chicken, New Balance and The Copley Plaza Hotel. He purchased the Boston Airport Journal in 1983, and subsequently began 3 other newspapers in the Boston area devoted to the travel industry. He also broadcasted travel commentaries for WBZ radio for over two decades. Bob was a former governor of the Boston Athletic Association, and successfully completed nine marathons. He served on the King Arthur Flour Board of Directors, was an Incorporator of The Harvard Magazine and helped create the Harvard Shop.
Bob enjoyed his weekend retreats in Westport that was purchased in 1991 so much that he and his wife Joyce moved there full time in 2021. A dedicated traveler, he was lucky to have visited China, Russia, Argentina, Australia, New Zealand, Cape Town, Hungary, Canada, and Europe among other destinations. He hated the word retirement and continued his interest about what was going on in the world.
He recently wrote a book, entitled Media Man, chronicling his adventures in the business world. But more than anything, he treasured his time with the family, and loved the energy of all the grandchildren and great-grandchildren. His motto was "family is everything" and was evidenced by the lively family reunions, especially the Christmas cruise.
Bob is survived by his wife, Joyce; and his four children, Elizabeth Comins of Hingham, Laura Weiss Sanchez of Buenos Aires, Lucy Weiss of Weymouth, and Robert Weiss Jr., of Eugene, Oregon. In addition, he is survived by his nine grandchildren who affectionately called him "Popey": Nicolas and Sol Sanchez, Virginia Sanchez, Carly and Simeon Fromberg, Victoria Sanchez and Marcel Herold, Courtney Caroline Comins, Allyson Bergeron, Hadley Weiss, Michael Bergeron, Jr., and Bode Weiss. He also leaves his four great-grandchildren: Ella Sanchez, Luka Herold, Mozelle Bee Fromberg, and Isabelle Zoe Herold. He is also survived by his sister, Louise Weiss of Cambridge. His brother, Paul Weiss, predeceased Bob. A private Service for the family has been held.
Jean Haworth, 94, Died; Owned “Bird in Hand” Antiques, “Loved a Party!”
Jean Haworth, 94, of Tiverton, RI, passed away peacefully at Newport Hospital on December 29, 2021 with her husband of 70 years by her side.
She was the daughter of the late James Bradford Norbury and Hilda Gertrude Norbury. Jean was born in Stockport, England on July 22, 1927. She and her husband, Dr. John Brian Haworth, moved to Canada in 1956, then to Kansas City, MO, en route to Westport, CT. They spent an unforgettable year in Switzerland and returned to Connecticut before moving back to England in 2004 to retire. For family reasons, they returned to the US in 2012 and settled in Rhode Island.
Mrs. Haworth held senior positions at Murex in the UK and Sherritt Gordon Mines in Canada. In the US, she opened her own antique shop, "Bird in Hand," in Westport, CT, specializing in copper, brass, jewelry, porcelains, and silver. She participated in many antique shows over the years and had a very loyal customer base from Nantucket to New York City. Jean was always a very active and social individual. She loved a party! She was an avid tennis player and made several county teams in the UK. She loved being around people and had an incredibly warm and gregarious personality. After moving to Newport, RI, she became a member of the Viking Bridge Club and enjoyed playing with her husband.
Jean is survived by her husband, Dr. John Brian Haworth, and her daughter, Carol Johnson. She was a beloved grandmother to Danielle Metrano and Rachael Schaller, as well as their husbands Anthony and and Brian respectively. She was a caring great-grandmother to Angelina and Arianna Metrano. She was preceded in death by her brother, Edward Norbury who served in the RAF during World War II.
Funeral services are private and will be held at Emmanuel Church in Newport, RI on January, 18, 2022. Online obituary at memorialfuneralhome.com
David James Harrison, 92, Died; Korean War Veteran, Former Westporter
David James Harrison, age 92, of Morrisville, North Carolina passed away on Monday, January 3, 2022.
He was born on March 22, 1929 in Fort Wayne, Indiana to the late Paul Harrison and Evelyn Montgomery Harrison. Dave was a 1947 graduate of Hartford City High School (Indiana) where he met his future wife, Patricia Raylene Zeek. He was an active athlete while in high school playing on varsity football, basketball, and baseball teams. After high school, he was drafted as a professional baseball player by the Chicago Cubs and played for several of their farm teams. He played as a lefty pitcher for minor league teams located in Elizabethton Tenn., Centralia Illinois, Dothan Alabama, and Paris Illinois. He later attended Indiana University and graduated in 1952 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism. He was a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity. On July 13, 1952, he married his high school sweetheart, Patty (Zeek) Harrison. Dave served during the Korean War in the US Army Counter Intelligence Corps. He was stationed at Fort Holabird in Baltimore, Maryland. After the war, he worked as a sports writer for the Muncie Indiana newspaper where he was able to combine his love of sports with his journalism degree.
Dave changed his career path by taking a position with ITT Corp. in Philadelphia as a personnel labor relations manager. He was promoted multiple times during his time with ITT and relocated to Detroit, Michigan and Westport, Connecticut. He later worked for Inland Container Corp in Indianapolis Indiana where he served as Executive Vice President of Human Resources. In 1993, he retired from Inland Container after working there for 19 years.
Dave was an avid golfer and participated in many amateur tournaments throughout the US. Dave and Pat traveled to numerous locations with many friends who shared their love of travel, history, and golf. In 1994, Dave and Pat retired to Savannah Georgia at Skidaway Island where he enjoyed playing golf and continuing travels with friends. They moved to Cary, NC in 1999 in order to be closer to their grandchildren.
Dave was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather providing endless love and support to his family members. His support and care were especially evident when Pat had a heart transplant in 1993 which required a high level of dedication during her recovery. She survived an additional 16 years allowing them to enjoy their retirement and 57 years of marriage. Also, he provided much support to his grandsons who have special needs and developed a special bond with them.
He was predeceased by his infant son James David Harrison, his wife, Pat, and his sister, Bonnie Meyer.
Survivors include his son Thomas S. Harrison and wife Terri of Anderson, IN, daughter Kimberly H. Feller and husband John of Cary, NC, grandsons Nicholas and James Feller. The family will receive friends on Saturday, January 8th from 2-4pm and Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, 200 SE Maynard Road, Cary, NC 27511.
Memorial contributions in David's memory can be made to the Autism Society of North Carolina.
Dr. Martha Sue Newell Atkinson, 98, Died; Professor, Cedar Point Member, Silver Donkey Awardee
Martha Sue Newell Atkinson died December 23, 2021 in Chester, Connecticut.
Always known as Sue, she was born in 1923 in Falls City, Nebraska to Duane Jacob and Grace Gillham Post Newell. She graduated from high school in Falls City as salutatorian and was student speaker at her college graduation from Park College, Missouri, in 1944.
After college Sue was awarded a one-year fellowship with the National Institute of Public Affairs in Washington, D.C. She spent six months with the Labor Department and six months with the National Labor Relations Board. At the end of World War II, she went to work for the U.S. Department of State to establish an embassy in The Hague, spending two and a half years in post-war Europe.
Returning to the United States, she entered graduate school to study economics at the University of Wisconsin – Madison, where she met and married fellow PhD student Thomas Roth Atkinson. She earned her PhD in economics in 1951, a time when few women got doctorate degrees and fewer still in the field of economics.
As they moved from Wisconsin to Riverdale, New York; Atlanta, Georgia and finally Westport, Connecticut, Sue had a lengthy career as a college professor. She taught at Georgia Tech in Atlanta, City College in New York City and then for many years at the University of Bridgeport. At the University of Bridgeport she was involved in union politics and the faculty strike of 1978 and served as chapter president of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP). One of her colleagues referred to her as the "Velvet Steamroller."
On retirement Sue and Tom went to teach at the University of International Business and Economics in Beijing, China. They were in Beijing during the student uprising in Tiananmen Square and had to leave before their classes ended. Later they returned to China to teach at the Johns Hopkins University/University of Nanjing Center.
Sue and Tom lived more than 50 years in Westport. They belonged to Cedar Point Yacht Club and enjoyed sailing on Long Island Sound. Picnic dinners on the wall by the cannons at Compo Beach were a special joy Sue and Tom shared. They enjoyed traveling and visited many interesting places throughout their 65-year marriage. Over the years they hosted many international students in their home. Sue was an enthusiastic gardener and belonged to the Westport Garden Club. She also volunteered at the Westport Historical Society. Passionate about politics, she was a member of the Democratic Women of Westport. She served as co-president and received the Silver Donkey Award for her work.
Sue's husband Tom passed away in 2013 after which she moved to Chester, CT. She is survived by her four children: Barbara (Kip) Seely, St. Louis, Mo.; Thomas N. (Patricia) Atkinson, Essex, Conn.; Connie (Mark) Holberg, Watertown, N.Y.; and Jane (James) Prentice, W. Cornwall, Conn.; nine grandchildren and four great grandchildren. Also surviving is Haluk (Monika) Alacaklioglu of Istanbul, Turkey, who lived with the Atkinsons while a foreign exchange student at Staples High school and continues to be considered family.
Janet Cook Marino, 88, Died; Former Daybreak Nursery Employee, “quick to smile”
Janet Cook Marino, age 88, of Shelton, beloved wife of the late James V. Marino, Jr., passed away in her home on Wednesday, December 22, 2021, with her daughters by her side.
Born on October 16, 1933, in Bridgeport, she was a daughter of the late John and Lucille Carbone Cook. Janet was a graduate of Harding High School and grew up in Bridgeport and was formally a longtime resident of Trumbull before moving to Shelton.
She worked for Park City Hospital as a keypunch operator. After retirement she enjoyed working part time at Daybreak Flower Shop in Westport. She was on the Harding High School Reunion Committee and a member of the St. Catherine of Siena Ladies Guild, where she served as President (1975-1976).
Janet was an excellent cook and loved nothing more than entertaining and cooking for her family and friends. There was always room for one more at the table. She was quick to smile and was happiest when surrounded by her family.
She will be greatly missed by all that were lucky enough to know her. Survivors include two daughters, Joy Marino and her husband Robert Sardaro of Trumbull and Jill Marino and her husband Michael Shandrowski of Stratford, two adored grandchildren Skylar and James Shandrowski of whom she was very proud of, two sisters, Rosalie Pauciello of Bridgeport, and Lynda Cook-Lawrence of Trumbull, as well as several nieces and nephews that she loved dearly.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, December 31, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. in St. Catherine of Siena Church, 200 Shelton Rd., Trumbull. Interment will follow in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Trumbull. Friends may greet the family on Thursday from 4-7 p.m. at the Abriola Parkview Funeral Home, 419 White Plains Rd., Trumbull. Face masks must be worn for both funeral home and church services. Those desiring may make memorial contributions to The Thomas Merton Center, 43 Madison Ave., Bridgeport, CT 06604. To leave an online condolence, please visit www.abriola.com.
Marjorie Joan Salembier Hurley, 92, Died; Staples Grad, Realtor, “always the best dressed”
Marjorie Joan Salembier Hurley, aged 92, passed away on October 12, 2021, in West Palm Beach, Florida. "Marj" was born on January 10, 1929, in Mineola, NY to Richard Van Zandt Salembier and Jesse Marjorie Forester Salembier.
Marj was the third of eight children in the Salembier family. Prior to Marj's high school years, the entire Salembier family moved to Westport, Connecticut where she attended Staples High School.
It was during her high school years, Marj developed an interest in fashion which, after graduation led her to the Parsons School of Design in New York City.
Fashion design quickly became the first of Marj's life passions. On return from a business trip to Europe her father brought back some exotic fabrics; Marj went straight to work designing evening gowns. And after the designs were finished, she worked with a seamstress to complete the garments which were scoffed up by her sisters to wear at Westport functions.
Marj married Arthur Hunter, Jr., in 1948 and started a large family. One son and five daughters kept Marj very busy.
As the youngest of her six children approached her junior high school years, Marj decided to enter the workforce. While working at a clothing store in downtown Westport, Marj realized she could move onto something bigger. With an eye for design and detail it was not surprising that she found her way to real estate sales. Her third life's passion evolved into a successful career in real estate at both the Hunter Agency, and the William Pitt agency both of Westport, Connecticut.
After some life changes, Marj married Jim Hurley. When Jim invested in a Vermont business they moved north. Marj continued in real estate, but instead of sales she spearheaded the building of an extraordinary house.
Marj was always the best dressed and had the most beautiful eye for decorating. You always knew when Marj was a visitor in your house; with the move of a vase or the puffing of a sofa pillow she'd create a fresh look and feel to any space. She never lost her eye and touch for fashion.
Marj is survived by her son Arthur Hunter, III, daughters Wendy Hunter Widman, Sally Hunter Uccellini, Stacy Hunter Holstein, Dana Hunter Harrity, Liz Hunter Koscinski, fourteen grandchildren, and twenty great grandchildren. As well as sisters Sandra Eskey, Sharon Lawson and brother Jeffery Salembier.
A full military ceremony will be held for the burial of Marj and her husband Jim (predeceased) at 3pm on April 8 at the Veterans Cemetery in Lake Worth, Florida.
Verne O. Sedlacek, 67, Died; Respected Businessman, Philanthropist
Verne O. Sedlacek died suddenly of a heart attack on December 10, 2021, while vacationing in the Caribbean. Maura, his loving wife of 40 years, was by his side. He was 67 years old. Verne was a proud native of Havre, MT, where he was born May 20, 1954, to Vernon and Signe (Martinson) Sedlacek. He graduated from Havre High School in 1972. During his time at Havre High, he was a starting offensive tackle for the Blue Ponies football team, which won the Class A State Championship in 1970.
Verne attended Princeton University, graduating in 1976 with a Bachelor's degree in Economics. While playing football at Princeton and hospitalized with an injury, Verne met his future wife, Maura Mitchell, who happened to be working as a nurse in that same hospital. They were married in the Princeton Chapel in October 1981, on a day that Verne called the happiest day of his life.
After graduating, he was employed by Arthur Andersen & Co. in New York City in their Audit Division while simultaneously studying Accounting at the New York University Graduate School of Business. After working with investment and Wall Street firms as clients at Arthur Andersen, Verne entered the world of investment management himself after being hired by Harvard Management Company, which manages Harvard University's endowment, in 1983. He worked there for 15 years, ultimately serving as Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President. Verne moved with Maura to Boston, where their family became complete with the births of their two sons, Ryan and Connor. It was shortly thereafter that he developed his lifelong passion for the Red Sox, Patriots and Celtics.
In 1998, Verne was hired as President of the John W. Henry & Company, an investment management business based in Westport, CT, to which Verne and his family moved shortly thereafter. Since then, he has resided in Westport, and his family still lives there today, having established deep roots in the community.
In 2003, Verne became the President and Chief Executive Officer of Commonfund, a not-for-profit organization providing investment management, advisory and consulting services to nonprofit institutions (primarily colleges and universities) in nearby Wilton, CT.
Verne was highly respected in the investment and endowment management fields for his insights and ability to identify and anticipate important trends affecting those industries. In 2013, the National Association of College and University Business Officers awarded Verne the Rodney H. Adams Endowment Award for his outstanding individual contributions to professional development activities in the area of university endowment and investment management. Verne was a steadfast believer in the power of philanthropic giving, responsible management and altruistic investment to ensure and improve the accessibility and quality of education for current and future generations.
Verne retired in 2015 but remained active on several boards of directors for financial, investment and educational organizations, providing investment and endowment management consulting services to several organizations. Verne had served on the board of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange and on the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges. At the time of his death, he was a senior fellow with the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust in Vancouver, Wash., on the investment committee for the William Penn Foundation, and on the Dean's Advisory Board of the Ancell School of Business at Western Connecticut State University. He was also a member of the boards of the Thrivent Mutual Fund Complex, Valparaiso University and the Museum of American Finance in New York City.
Verne was a devoted husband and father as well as a loving and generous man. He enjoyed annual beach vacations with extended family, date nights with his loving wife, and watching movies and Boston sports with his sons. Verne loved watching TV (from WWI documentaries to American Ninja Warrior), but also reading: he was rarely seen without a book in hand. His competitive nature was legendary in the family– whether it was football, ping-pong or Monopoly, he always wanted to win and would do whatever it took to do so. He was known to friends and family for his quick wit and self-deprecating humor, as well as his deep humility and heartfelt concern for the people around him.
Verne lived a full life dedicated to his family and friends and considered himself a very lucky man. He is survived by his beloved wife, Maura, sons Ryan and Connor, his brother Stuart, and many loving members of his extended family. He is preceded in death by his parents, Vernon and Signe Sedlacek. His absence will be felt by his many friends and colleagues.
A funeral will be held in honor of Verne at St. Paul Westport in early January at an undecided date. Further details will be forthcoming.
Donald Elliott Reilly, 99, Died; Staples grad, Navy Veteran, “ truly a good man”
Donald Elliott Reilly, age 99, beloved husband of the late Nancy Reilly, of Westport passed on peacefully on November 20, 2021 surrounded by his family.
Don was born on September 1st, 1922 in New York City and his family moved to Westport in 1934. He attended local schools, graduated from Staples High School and the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute - Naval Aviation Program. With the advent of World War ll, he enlisted and served in the U.S. Navy as a pilot and later as a flight instructor based at the Naval Air Station in Corpus Christi, Texas. Following his military service, he joined the firm of Koller and Smith Company, a printing company based in New York City where he began his career in sales. He advanced to President and co-owner over the course of his 40-year career.
He met and married the love of his life, Nancy, in 1949 and together they raised their three sons. Nancy and Don enjoyed many years of designing and building their home and gardens; collecting and restoring antique furniture and art and travelled extensively with family and friends. Don was also an avid tennis player. He loved the outdoors and particularly enjoyed many rafting and canoe trips with his sons. Don will be remembered for his sense of humor, love of nature, his meticulous woodworking skills, antique restoration and his epic annual barn sales.
He was truly a good man and a wonderful father, grandfather and great grandfather who freely gave of himself and taught us many life skills. We will miss him greatly, mindful that that he had a long and good life filled with adventure, love, family and many friends. We will remember him for his humor, warmth, strength of character, dedication to his family and his love of his golden retrievers.
He will be lovingly remembered by his children, Kevin Reilly and his wife Leslie (Carrere) of Newfield, NY, William Reilly and his wife Laura (Gottfried) of Enfield, NY and Peter Reilly and his wife Mary (Picard) of Rye, NH; his grandchildren Colin and his wife Lauren, Marissa and her husband Zach Beauchamp, Mia, Megan and Conor Reilly; his great-granddaughter Kendall and his sister, Eloise Reilly of Westport, as well as many nieces and nephews.
A special thanks for Carla Wilson, his personal caregiver, for her loving care and the staff at Visiting Angels of Fairfield, Ct for their support. In lieu of flowers, contributions in his honor can be made to the Yankee Golden Retriever Rescue at 110 Chapin Rd., Hudson, MA 01749-08081.
SERVICES: Family and friends will be invited to attend a memorial service planned for the spring of 2022 in Westport. Specific details will be provided at a later date. Visit: www.hardingfuneral.com to sign the online guestbook
Angelo James Veno, 93, Died; Veteran, Longtime Saugatuck Resident, Compo Beach Staple
Angelo James Veno, known by many as Cookup, passed away peacefully on December 1, 2021 after a long and happy life. He was Born on April 15, 1928 in Saugatuck, CT to Louis and Mary Veno. He went through the Westport public school system. After school each day, Angelo would head to the local bowling alley where he would work to manually re-set the pins for the next group of bowlers.
Once in High School at Staples he was named a three-sport star in playing football, baseball and basketball. After graduating from High School in 1946 he played semi-pro football with the Westport Advertisers and basketball with the Saugatuck Veterans, Westport YMCA and Clam Box Five. Angelo also took up boxing and had a brief pro career which saw him post a 12-2 record. In 1986 he was named a recipient of the "Sportsman of Westport" award.
In 1951 he went to serve his country by joining the U.S. Navy where he served for four years on the Ship U.S.S Howard D. CROW as an Engineer. He became a member of the fleet's boxing team and out of 16 fights he lost only one. Following his service days, he came home to Westport and helped coach the Westport PAL football team. Shortly thereafter he married his first wife Judith Lissberger. They had 2 children, Timothy and Belinda. Both his children have great memories of their childhood and the many times they traveled with their Dad to the NY Giants exhibition games in Pittsburgh and then returning home to go straight to the The Feast of San Gennaro in Little Italy for dinner. Angelo later married Theresa Karutz in 1984, a former Miss Atlantic City winner and enjoyed spending time with his two stepsons, Wallace and William Karutz.
Angelo had a long and successful career in the world of construction as President & CEO of his own company, AJ VENO Construction. A business that he started as a window replacement company and grew into a full-fledged construction company where he built both Corporate buildings and Residential homes for a number of years.
On a personal level, Angelo made friends and made people laugh wherever he laid is hat, whether the local Pizza restaurant or with nurses caring for him. In fact, one person said he remembers him as "the big guy that was always funny." He adored his family and friends. He loved spending time at Compo Beach either with friends or on his own just to feed the birds.
Angelo is survived by his brother Joe Veno and sister Theresa and her husband Richard Valentine. He was predeceased by his sister, Ida Lockwood. He is also survived by his two children, Timothy Veno and his partner Gwen Purcell and Belinda and her husband Richard Benincasa. And his three grandchildren, Richard and his wife Nora Benincasa, Ryan and his wife Noelle Benincasa and Morgan Benincasa as well as multiple cousins, nieces and nephews. And most recently, his first great-grandchild, Ryan Casey Benincasa.
Friends are invited to attend a funeral on Monday, December 13, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. meeting directly at Assumption Church, 98 Riverside Ave., Westport, CT for a Mass of Christian Burial. Interment with full Military Honors will follow in Assumption Cemetery, 73 Greens Farms Road, Westport, CT. The family will receive friends in the Harding Funeral Home, 210 Post Rd. E., Westport, CT on Sunday December 12, 2021 from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. Condolences in memory of Angelo may be left online at www.hardingfuneral.com
JoAnn Adamski Rogers, 82, Died; “a sassy woman”; Loving “Nana” to 3 Grandchildren
ObituaryJoAnn Adamski Rogers, 82, of Westport, CT peacefully passed away in her home Friday, November 26, 2021. JoAnn was born on June 19, 1939 in Binghamton, NY to Edward and Angelina Adamski.
She married her loving husband and one true love, Edward Rogers, on June 20, 1959. They spent the next 62 years together until her passing, their love never wavering.
JoAnn is remembered with love by her two daughters, Michelle Byrne and Karen Houseworth, sons-in-law Eugene Byrne and Mark Yingling, three grandchildren Lauren Byrne, Sydney and Edward Houseworth, her brother-in-law Bill Bennett, and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her beloved sister, MaryLou Bennett.
JoAnn was a dedicated wife and mother, first and foremost. She treasured her family and embraced every moment with them. She especially loved her role as Nana, a name her grandchildren affectionately gave to her. JoAnn was full of life, her home was always the "place to be" as she made everyone feel welcomed.
She loved to cook; it was one of the many ways she showed her love.
She was a sassy woman, known for her strong-willed and sometimes stubborn ways, she liked to do things her way, and was usually right anyway.
She loved to bowl, read, play bridge, golf, go to the casino, and enjoy time with her girlfriends. But above all her family was everything to her.
JoAnn gave strength a new meaning. She battled extreme chronic pain and health conditions, never once complaining or showing any signs of weakness. JoAnn smiled through it and continued to put everyone before herself. She was selfless in everything she did. Her faith as a devout Catholic guided and comforted her.
JoAnn lived her life with grace, dignity, and love. Her legacy will live on in those who knew her. She will be greatly missed.
There will be calling hours at Lesko & Polke Funeral Home, 1209 Post Road, in Fairfield Center from 3-7 p.m. on Friday, December 3rd.
A funeral mass will be held at St. Luke's Parish, 49 North Turkey Hill Rd., Westport, CT, on Saturday December 4th at 11:30 a.m.
Burial will follow in Willowbrook Cemetery, Westport.
Memorial contributions in JoAnn's honor may be directed to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. www.stjude.org/donate
For travel directions or to sign her online guest registry, please visit www.LeskoPolkeFuneralHome.com