Obituary: Mildred Konopacke, 93, of North Haven

From Sisk Brothers Funeral Home

Mildred Hughes Konopacke, 93, wife of the late Albert Konopacke, died suddenly on October 8, 2016. She was surrounded by her loving family. Mildred was the daughter of the late Helen Dean Hughes and Patrick Joseph Hughes, and the sister of Francis (Shorty) Hughes of Hamden, Eleanor Casapullo of Cheshire, and the late Joseph Edward Hughes.

Mildred was the mother of Judy (Edward) Todd of Magnolia DE, the late Nancy Konopacke (Edward Glod) of West Hartford CT, and Daniel, Emily and David Konopacke of North Haven CT. She is survived by her grandchildren Lauren Todd of Salisbury MD, Lucy (Nathan) Allen of Boston MA, and Sarah Glod (Gianmarco Molina) of Stafford Springs. Mildred also leaves behind several nieces, nephews, cousins and close family friends.

Mildred was born and raised in New Haven and graduated from Commercial High School. She worked as a secretary for the federal government in Washington DC during World War II, for Eichorn Electric Company while her children were young, and finally in the health care field at Waterbury Hospital and the Regional VNA.

She and her husband bought their home in North Haven in 1952 and spent a lifetime renovating the old farmhouse and building memories there. For 64 years she made sure to fill the place with family, friends, good food, and happy pets. She was always actively involved in the lives of her children; as a volleyball coach at St. Rita School, a den mother for her son’s Cub Scout troop, and in many Girl Scout events.

True to her Irish heritage she loved poetry, a clever turn of phrase, and music of all kinds. She loved to recite the poems she had memorized in her youth and would often sing obscure and comical old songs that she said her father used to sing to her as a child. Her beautiful singing voice was a mainstay at family gatherings and brought much joy to those who heard her.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Thursday at 10 a.m. in St. Rita's Church, 1620 Whitney Ave. Hamden. Friends are asked to go directly to church. Burial in All Saints Cemetery.

Calling hours are Wednesday from 6 - 8 p.m. in Sisk Brothers Funeral Home 3105 Whitney Ave. Hamden. Donations may be made in Mildred's name to the charity of one's choice.

To leave online condolences, visit Sisk Brothers Funeral Home here.

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