Obituary: Elizabeth (Betty) Ann Tichy (Gumkowski), 90, of Madison

Obituary courtesy of W. S. Clancy Memorial Funeral Home:

On Sunday evening, December 19, 2021, Elizabeth (Betty) Ann Tichy (Gumkowski), 90, a longtime resident of Madison, passed away peacefully at her home and joined her husband Ted, the love of her life. Betty was born in Branford, CT, on July 8, 1931, daughter of the late Simon Gumkowski and Josefa (Gorski) Gumkowski of Branford.

She was the beloved Wife of 65+ years to the late Theodore A. Tichy Sr.; cherished Mother to children Carol Tichy DiCorleto (Anthony) of Madison, Nancy DeBerardino (Donald) of Charlestown RI, Ted Tichy Jr (Mary Mullins) of West Milan NH, and Gretchen Higgins (Jeffrey) of Madison; loving Grandmother to grandchildren Alexandria Tichy, Jessie (Tichy) Paine (Drew), Megan Higgins, Taylor Higgins, Timothy Higgins, and Emily Higgins; and “Oma” to great-grandchildren Warren Paine and Juliet Paine. She is survived by her sister, Vadis Dymarczyk of Branford, many dear nieces and nephews, and the extended Mullins’ families.

She was predeceased by sisters Irene Pankosky and Stella Chomicz, brothers Walter Gumkowski and Ted Grant, and infant brothers Cestaw and John.

Betty graduated from Branford High School in 1949. She was a dedicated stay-at-home Mom while her children were in school. She was a skilled seamstress and a fantastic cook. She and Ted enjoyed watching Gretchen play basketball for DHHS and Bentley College. Later, she worked in the Guilford and Madison BOE school Cafeteria programs. Betty and Ted spent a personally rewarding year helping to start the Seabird program in Groton CT for physically and mentally challenged adults. She was an active member in many projects with the North Madison Volunteer Fire Dept. Ladies Auxiliary. After building a beautiful cabin themselves in New Hampshire on a wooded hill across from Ted Jr’s home, she and Ted spent most summers “at camp” where she read, visited grandchildren and enjoyed the solitude. After her 50th high school reunion, she looked forward to gathering with her classmates a few times a year for “mini” reunion breakfasts at the Parthenon and Twin Pines restaurants. She and Ted were avid bowlers, and enjoyed many friends and good times at the Cherry Hill and East Haven bowling centers. She was a dedicated communicant in her Catholic religion, and in her later years, faithfully prayed her Rosary and participated in the daily televised masses aired by ORTV Inc, Archdiocese of Hartford. Her special advice to all of us was from St. Padre Pio de Pietrelcina “Pray, Hope, and Don’t Worry”.

A Celebration of Life Mass and burial service will be planned for Betty and Ted together at a future date in 2022.

Memorial contributions are welcome to ORTV Inc, 15 Peach Orchard Rd., Prospect CT 06712.