Marian Patnaude

Old Lyme - Marian (Bednar) Patnaude, 84, was so gently called to heaven on Monday, March 24, 2014.

Marian was born to Michael and Suzanne (Gayara) Bednar, on Feb. 23, 1929, in Hebron. She moved to Middletown and graduated from Middletown High School in 1947. Marian began working at Sears and Robuck where she met the love of her life, "Franny" Patnaude, where they both were employed. Fran and Marian were married 61 years until Fran passed in 2012. Together they raised three wonderful children who went on to marry very special people and gave Fran and Marian five beautiful grandchildren.

Fran and Cathy (Russell) Patnaude of Bethlehem, both artist and teachers. Fran is department head of Rumsey Hall School and an adjunct professor at Western CT State University while Cathy teaches in Regional District #14, parents of Nick, who currently is teaching in Istanbul, Turkey, Nathan who resides in Pittsburgh, Pa. and Emily of Litchfield and teaches in Oxford. Steve and Betsy (Neumann) of Columbia, S.C., where Steve teaches high school English and is a musician and Betsy a video artist and program director for The Columbia Public Broadcast Station. Also, Kathy and Greg Hancock of Old Lyme, where Kathy teaches 4th grade and are owners of Hancock Pharmacy of Meriden and Long Wharf in New Haven, parents of Dr. Melyssa Hancock who is fulfilling her otolaryngology residency at Georgetown University Hospital and Matt, who is completing his master's in criminal justice at The University of New Haven this summer and pursuing a career in law enforcement. Marian loved her children and grandchildren and was so proud of all of their achievements and the people they have become. She is also survived by her sister, Carol Jarzabek of Canton; and sister-in-law, Mary Bednar of Hillside, N.J.; along with many nieces, nephews and special friends.

She was predeceased by her husband, Francis T. Patnaude; her sisters, Anne Masselli, Millie Kowalski, Ellen Lasky, Betty Mastzal; and her brother, Charles Bednar.

Early in her life, Marian worked at Sears Robuck and Topps Department Store as a bookkeeper. She then banquet waitressed and ultimately worked for Farmers and Mechanics Bank, where she retired after 15 years. Marian lived a rich and full life devoted to her faith and her church, St. Pauls Lutheran Church where she was a member of the choir and volunteered as treasurer for many years. Marian was very active in the church and helped on various committees. Marian was also an active member of the Elks Lodge Emblem Club. She was often an officer in the club and spent many hours organizing events and working at fundraisers. Once Marian retired, she was able to travel and became an active member of the Middletown Middletuners Choir where she continued her love of singing. As Marian was a social soul, she also attended Middletown Adult Day Care to continue to be around friends. In 2013, Marian left her Middletown home for the "resort" as she called it, Gladeview Rehabilitation and Health Care Center in Old Saybrook where from day one, she received personal care and attention on a daily basis. Anyone who knew Marian found a friend, she was friendly, compassionate and always willing to lend a hand. She was very social, loved to have fun and could be found often hanging out with her sisters. Marian stayed connected to her family by always visiting them and taking an active interest in their lives. She was dearly loved by so many and will be truly missed.

Marian's family wishes to thank caregivers Alicia and Sandra who helped Marian while at home, all of the staff at Gladeview who made Marian's last few months so meaningful for her and took the time to make her smile and Masonicare Home Health and Hospice, Eastern Hospice Team where in lieu of flowers, donations may be made: c/o The Masonic Charity Foundation of CT, 74 Cheshire Road, P.O. Box 70, Wallingford, CT 06492.

Funeral services will be held at 9:15 a.m. Monday from the Biega Funeral Home, 3 Silver St., Middletown followed by an 10 a.m. Funeral Mass at Faith Lutheran Church. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery. Friends may call from 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday, at the Biega Funeral Home.

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