Obituary: Karen Elizabeth Rygiel, 50, Of Wallingford

WALLINGFORD, CT — (From Wallingford Funeral Home): Karen Elizabeth Rygiel, 50, of Wallingford, passed away on January 14, 2023 after a courageous battle with cancer.

Karen graduated from St. Paul Catholic High School in Bristol. Following high school, Karen attended, and graduated from the University of Hartford with a Bachelor of Science in Special Education.

Karen enjoyed spending time at the beach in Westbrook with her family and friends, and at her family cottage at Highland Lake in Winstead where she learned to waterski.

Karen was a first responder EMT with the Yalesville and North Farms Volunteer Fire Departments, a religious education teacher, and an Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist at Holy Trinity Parish.

Karen is survived by her parents, Paul and Elizabeth (Sponheimer) Rygiel; her brothers, Paul and Stephen; sister-in-law, Breanna; her two twin nephews, Cooper and Spencer Rygiel; as well as aunts and uncles, Maryellen and Anthony Kowalski, Paul and Elizabeth Sponheimer, and Henry Rygiel. Karen is also survived by her cousins, Matthew, Michael, and Margaret Kowalski, Callah Adelino, and Dierdre Sponheimer. Karen also leaves behind her buddy, her dog Bentley.

Karen’s family will receive relatives and friends at The Wallingford Funeral Home, 809 North Main Street, Ext. on Thursday, January 19, 2023, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, January 20, 2023, directly at Our Lady of Fatima Church at 11 a.m. Interment will follow in St. John Cemetery in Wallingford.

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