Obituary: Kelly Connors Kraus, 55, Of Naugatuck

Information via Miller-Ward Funeral Home

Kelly Connors Kraus, age 55, passed away peacefully Monday, December 5, 2022, at home in Naugatuck surrounded by her loving family. She was the wife of Michael G. Kraus.

Kelly was born on September 13, 1967 in Derby, the daughter of Richard and Patricia (Hill) Connors of Seymour. She worked as a patient care specialist for Naugatuck Valley Women’s Health Specialists PC.

Kelly is survived by her sister Stacey Lokey and her husband Mark of Newtown, her brother Richard Connors and his wife Julie (Mallozzi) of Oxford, her twelve nieces and nephews Mathew, William, Hunter, Nicholas, Harrison, Maxwell, Lauren, Rachel, Kelsey, Raegen, Jessica, and Rebecca.

Kelly was a graduate of Holy Cross High School in Waterbury, who also held certification in Phlebotomy and was an experienced medical coder. She was a woman of great faith and was a fierce prayer warrior. Her prayer list and collection of rosaries and bibles are a hallmark of her deep devotion to God and the Virgin Mary. These were first and foremost in her journey through life and she loved to talk about God and all things of Heaven with anyone.

Kelly had an overwhelming love for her family and friends. If she wasn’t dropping off flowers to her mother on a weekly basis, she was calling her sister and brother or dropping in to play with her nieces and nephews. She could often be found wading with them through streams catching salamanders and crayfish or sitting on the side of a pond fishing rod in hand, competing with them to catch the biggest fish.

Kelly also had a bottomless love and compassion for all four-legged creatures. Her pets were her children, and she would make sure people were aware of that. She was particularly drawn to stray and rescue animals, who she felt strongly needed special attention. Some of her most endearing conversations were with her dogs, Kaiser and Minka and her cat, Dieter.

Kelly was a true sports fan. She was part of a traveling softball team that competed in the finals of the Softball World Series in Kalamazoo Michigan when she was in her early teens. She was natural in other sports as well. UConn sports and professional basketball were her favorites to watch live or on television. She loved riding dirt bikes, quads, and horses whenever she got the opportunity.

A funeral service in celebration of Kelly’s Life will be held on Saturday, December 10, 2022, at 9:15 a.m. in the Chapel of the Miller-Ward Funeral Home, 260 Bank St. in Seymour prior to a Mass of Christian burial at 10 a.m. at The Church of the Good Shepard of St. Nicholas Parish, 135 Mountain Rd. in Seymour. Internment in the family plot at Mountain Meadows Cemetery, 117 Mountain Rd in Seymour will follow. Calling hours for friends and family will be held on Friday, December 9, 2022, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her name may be made to Danbury Animal Welfare Society through the funeral home.

To light a virtual candle or to leave online condolences, please visit www.millerwardfuneralhome.com.