Mrs. Beatrice A. Konicki, age 94, of Seymour, entered into eternal rest on Friday, November 1, 2013, at the Bishop Wicke Health Center in Shelton with her loving family by her side. She was preceded by her devoted husband of 46 years Ignatius J. Konicki.
She was the daughter of the late Edmund and Alma LaBranche of Shelton.
She is survived by her three caring children, John Konicki and his wife Janet of Oxford, Beatrice (Bonnie) Bodak and her husband Stephen of North Branford and Dennisport, MA, and Alma Harmon and her late husband Vincent of Ansonia. She also leaves five grandchildren: Michelle Acri and her husband Tom of Milford, David Harmon and Kevin Harmon of Ansonia, Stephen Bodak and his wife Katie of Haddam and Jeanne Castillo and her husband Isaac of Hyattsville, MD. She is also survived by the joys of her life, her four beloved great-grandchildren: Thomas and Emma Acri and Meara and Kaleigh Bodak. She is survived by her brother Ralph LaBranche of Ansonia and her sisters Alma Doherty of Shelton, Patricia Kiley of Ansonia, Leona Miller of Bristol and by her sister-in-law, Marie Konicki of Rockville. She was predeceased by her brothers Edmund, Robert, and Gilbert LaBranche and by her sisters Laura Sobczak, Theresa Herbette, and Margaret Skowronski. She also leaves behind many cherished nieces and nephews.
Bea, as she was known by friends and family, was born in Shelton and was a communicant of St. Joseph’s Church and attended St. Joseph’s Grammar School and Shelton High School. She worked for many years in the Electrical Harness Fabrication Dept. of Sikorsky Aircraft as a lead lady. She attended the Church of the Assumption in Ansonia in her latter years.
Bea and Iggy loved to spend their days at their cottage on Red Cedar Lake in Lebanon, where they entertained family and friends at many happy get-togethers. It was there that Bea fostered her love of gardening and canning. She will be remembered as a master in the art of crocheting, making literally hundreds of spectacular afghans, baby outfits, curtains, and tablecloths for those dear to her. These heirlooms will live on as her legacy to all of us. She loved to cook and was renowned for her cherry nut cake, cheesecake, pierogies, scalloped potatoes, stuffed cabbage, and cucumber salad, which brought joy and nourishment to our bodies and hearts. She had a fondness for animals, especially her special cat, Pumpkin. Bea was truly loved by all who knew her and she will forever be missed.
The family wished to express its gratitude to the medical staff of the Bishop Wicke Center for the highly professional care given to Bea in her final days and also for the many courtesies extended to the family.
Friends and family are invited to Call on Tuesday, November 5, 2013 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Riverview Funeral Home, 390 River Rd., Shelton. On Wednesday, Nov. 6, her funeral procession will depart from the funeral home at 9:15 a.m. for a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in Assumption Church, Ansonia. Burial will follow at Mt. St. Peter’s Cemetery, Derby.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bea’s memory to the National Urea Cycle Disorders Foundation 75 S. Grand Ave., Pasadena, CA 91105 or through the Riverview Funeral Home.
