Obituary: Bronwen Wrinn, 79, Of Wallingford

WALLINGFORD, CT — (From Wallingford Funeral Home): Bronwen (Hughes) Wrinn, 79, of Wallingford, died unexpectedly Sunday, January 15, 2023, at MidState Medical Center. She was the loving wife of the late Thomas F. Wrinn.

She was born in England, June 28, 1943, a daughter of the late Glynne and Elizabeth (Macmillan) Hughes.

Bronwen was a devout parishioner of Most Holy Trinity Church in Wallingford where she was an active volunteer alongside her husband at the parish Bazaar and raffle. She had been a longtime employee of Connecticut Bank and Trust. She was a member of the Welsh Society and an extremely charitable person who dedicated countless time and efforts to many organizations that exemplified her values and beliefs.

Bronwen is survived by her three children: Sharon Diggle Gentino, Glynne Diggle and his wife Alma, and Gail Diggle, her three grandchildren: Jonathan Gentino, Bryce Gentino, and Max Gentino and his wife Mariana; and her late husband’s five children and their families. She was predeceased by her brother, Rodney Hughes; and her sister, Diana Hughes Gough.

It needs to be mentioned that the late John Oblon of Meriden came into her life some years after the loss of her husband and he and his music put some life back into her. He was a good man.

Bronwen was an amazing, strong, adventuresome, loving, caring woman with a smile that lit up a room. Her kindness touched many. She was honored to have become a part of the Wrinn clan with a special love for her godson, Thomas M. Wrinn of Kansas.

In her very early 20s she emigrated alone from England, following her husband by three months, with three very young children. And $20 in her pocket.

She was very proud of her children and grandchildren - though a proper Englishwoman would never boast. Talking to people today, her accent and kind, classy demeanor are remembered well even from as far back as the 70s.

Her greatest love was of birds, especially hummingbirds, and sunshine. She loved the feel of the sun on her face and has an amazing bird sanctuary outside her sunroom. We all knew to come running when she called because there was a special bird, or a fox or a deer or…. she loved nature. Her flower gardens were a passionate undertaking.

She had a crazy adventuresome spirit. Whether gliding in a plane over the countryside of England, sailing a 44-foot yacht with a girlfriend alone around the British Virgin Islands and Greece, camping in Hawaii, hiking the state parks of Utah and Colorado, paragliding in the Rockies, scuba diving in Bonaire, kayaking with Gail, or 4-wheeling in Colorado her spirit would bubble forth from her in joyous laughter.

Her sense of humor was captivating. Her escapades would leave us all in stitches. And still do.

Most of all, her loving devotion to her late husband and to so many people in need was remarkable. She cared deeply, willingly and passionately for anyone who needed her – going above and beyond over and over again. Many hearts and minds will carry her with them forever.

Her family will receive relatives and friends in The Wallingford Funeral Home, 809 N. Main St. Ext., on Thursday, January 26, from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. when the funeral cortege will proceed to Most Holy Trinity Church where a Mass of Christian Burial presided over by Reverend Father Kingsley C. Ihejirika will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Interment will follow in Sacred Heart Cemetery in Meriden.

In lieu of flowers, Bronwen would have asked that gifts in her memory be sent to Divine Mercy International Widows & Orphans Organization at www.DMIWOO.org.

For more information and to leave online condolences, visit Wallingford Funeral Home here.