Obituary: Katherine M. (Kay) Ryczek, 92, of Middletown

MIDDLETOWN, CT - (From Biega Funeral Home) Katherine M. (Kay) Ryczek of Middletown, wife of the late Frank L. Ryczek, passed away May 5th after a brief illness.

Kay was born in Middletown on August 10, 1928 and was predeceased by her parents, William F. Cotter, Sr. and Ellen B. Cotter, her brother, William F. Cotter, Jr., her husband Frank, with whom she shared a wonderful, 60-year marriage, and an infant daughter.

Survivors include her son William Ryczek and his wife Susan of Wallingford, her daughters Ellen Ryczek of Old Saybrook and Claire DeFrancesco and her husband Michael of Southington, her grandchildren, Michael Ryczek and his partner Elizabeth Rovito, Anne Ryczek and her fiancé Christopher Bellone, Joseph DeFrancesco, and Andrea DeFrancesco and her fiancé Thomas Ray IV, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Kay was a lifelong resident of Middletown and spent the last 65 years of her life in the home she cherished and decorated with care and in which she raised her family, which was her proudest achievement.

She loved the theater and participated in many local productions over the years. She was a friendly, outgoing person who loved to travel and could strike up a conversation with a total stranger and make them feel at ease.

Kay was a parishioner of St. Sebastian’s of Middletown; when she was unable to attend church regularly, she faithfully watched mass on ORTV and asked that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to ORTV at 15 Peach Orchard Road, Prospect, CT 06712.

The family would like to thank the staff of the Palliative Care Unit at Middlesex Hospital for the kindness and support they provided to Kay and the family. They could not have done better.

A Funeral Liturgy will be held Tuesday May 11 at 11a.m. at Saint Sebastian Church, Middletown. Friends may call prior to the service from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at Biega Funeral Home 3 Silver Street Middletown. Burial will be Calvary Cemetery Middletown.

To share memories or express condolences online please visit www.biegafuneralhome.com.