Anna Terlaga Oliwa, 97, of Derby, peacefully entered into eternal rest on early Tuesday morning, July 30, 2013, at Bishop Wicke H.C. in Shelton. She was the wife of the late Joseph L. Oliwa.
Mrs. Oliwa was born in Derby on Nov. 23, 1915, daughter of the late Stanley and Mary Pyrek Terlaga.
Anna graduated from St. Michael’s School in Derby and was a communicant of her beloved St. Michael’s Church.
In her youth, she was a basketball player for the Derby Polish Falcons where she met Joe, her coach and future husband. Anna and Joe established the Oliwa Home Supply in Derby in 1951, where she worked until retirement.
The business continues to be operated by her family with much pride and success. Anna was an organizer and the second president of the Paugassett Hose Hook & Ladder Ladies Auxiliary. She was also a member and past vice president of the Derby Emblem Club (BPOE).
Anna loved cooking, playing scrabble, trips to Mohegan Sun Casino and in her earlier years, loved traveling and bowling. Most of all, she loved spending time with her loving family.
She is survived by a son, Joseph F. Oliwa and a daughter, Joan Pardee of Derby, a cherished grandson, Robert Pardee and his wife Hope of Milford, two recently born twin great-grandchildren, Joseph and Hannah Pardee, a brother, Stanley Terlaga (Jean) of Windsor, a sister, Josephine Auger of Shelton and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by a brother, Leo Terlaga and sisters, Jennie Offchiss and Julia Matyosovsky.
Visiting will take place on Friday morning August 2, 2013, from 9:30 am until 10:30 am in the chapel of the SPINELLI-RICCIUTI/BEDNAR-OSIECKI FUNERAL HOME, 62 Beaver Street in Ansonia.
Her funeral will process to St. Michael’s Church in Derby for a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 am. Interment will follow in St. Michael’s Cemetery in Derby.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Michael’s Church through the funeral home. To send an act of sympathy, please visit www.spinelliricciutifh.com.
