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Elizabeth Turrell Obituary

Elizabeth Turrell
Elizabeth Gombos Turrell, age 98, beloved wife of the late George Joseph Turrell, entered into eternal life on July 27th. The daughter of the late John and Elizabeth Gombos, "Betty" was a lifelong resident of her treasured town of Fairfield. She is cherished by her two loving daughters, Elizabeth Turrell Kocaba and her husband, Robert, of Trumbull and June Turrell MacKenzie and her husband Malcolm of Fairfield, five grandchildren, James Kocaba and his wife, Susan, of Madison, CT, Julie Leonard and her husband Patrick, of Larchmont, NY, Anna Zamat and her husband, Michael, of Fairfield, Alyson Karnath and her husband, Alex, of Alameda, CA, and Mallory Young and her husband Ryan, of New York City. Betty has nine great-grandchildren - Matthew, Gunnar, Alexandra, and Blake Leonard, Owen and Drew Kocaba, Samuel and William Zamat, and Luke Karnath. Betty is also survived by her brother, Daniel Harold Gombos of Woodbury, her sister-in-law, Helena Pajolek of Bridgeport and several nieces and nephews. Betty's passions were her family, faith and service to others. She was an officer and member of countless organizations. Her church life at Calvin United Church of Christ included a lifetime of teaching Sunday School and Vacation Bible School, singing in the choir and involvement in all church functions. Betty taught weekday religious school in the Greater Bridgeport area and was involved in the Council of Churches. Betty was also involved in the Church Women United, founded in 1941, which was an ecumenical movement comprised of women regardless of race or denomination which provided a place of fellowship and understanding. Betty was also actively involved with the Southport Women's Club, founded in 1915, which provided her and the other members with stimulating social and cultural conversations, as well as opportunities to improve the community. Betty highly valued education and was an active member and officer of Parent Teacher Associations. At age 60, Betty founded a nursery school at Calvin United Church. For ten years, her classes overflowed with three and four year olds. She created a loving environment in which she promoted a love of learning and practices of kindness with her cherished little ones and their families. In 1975, Betty was honored with the Connecticut Mother or the Year Award for her exemplary service to a wide range of organizations and people in her community and state. Betty gently wove her family and friends into her volunteer work by appointing herself the designated driver to all would be volunteers who couldn't drive. She filled her car with people who wanted to sing in the choir, help out with programs and cheerfully led the way. Her unconditional "Yes, sure!" response to any call for assistance inspired others to do the same. Her cheerful nature along with her positive energy, deep and wide faith in God and his love were infectious. Her family was the primary recipient of her greatest love –with her time and attention. She placed her family first and worked, walked and thought quickly, running circles around most of us while cooking chicken paprikas, writing love notes, baking Hungarian confections and gathering us for family time around the dining table, complete with her arranged flowers for Sunday dinner. Betty was always available to her family, caring for us in every way and demonstrating that nothing was ever too much trouble. She lived from a place of love. We were so proud of her and happy to share "Mrs. Turrell" with the world. "God Bless You Always, Mother," Your loving family. Funeral services were held privately in the care of the Lesko & Polke Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be directed to The Alzheimer's Association, P.O. Box 9601or Vitas Community Connection, 255 E 5th St., Suite 2600, Cincinnati, OH 45202-4138. To sign an online register, please visit www.LeskoPolkeFuneralHome.com

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Connecticut Post from Jul. 31 to Aug. 2, 2019.

Memories and Condolences
for Elizabeth Turrell

Sponsored by Lesko Funeral Home, Preplanning, and Cremation Services - Fairfield.

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Roberta(Birdie) & Mike Yatsinko

August 22, 2019

Our deepest sympathy to you. She was a very sweet & special lady.

joan kleinknecht

August 15, 2019

It is with the fondest memories that I send my condolences to Betty's lovely family...There is no doubt that Betty has earned her wings trimmed in gold and silver! Whenever I met Betty in the Dwight Halls..classroom..office/..she always had her lovely welcoming sweet smile..and a warm hello and a hug sometimes...I know she lived a long cherished and beautiful life of giving and loving..but she still will be missed..just know that wherever she went..she left her "Mark of Christian Love" everywhere..She set example quietly..but the results rand out joyfully. she was a gift to the world! Your write-up was sooo true..tyhank you! Blessing, Joan E. Kleinknecht

Stephen Katai

August 9, 2019

To the entire Turrell family:

Please accept our sincere condolences.

Stephen Katai & family

Barbara Gazdik

August 5, 2019

To The Turrell Family, Our thoughts and prayers are with the family at this time.May her memories bring you comfort. Barbara Gazdik & Family

Lisa Kelleher

August 4, 2019

So sorry for your loss. A beautiful and kind person. My children went to vacation bible school at Calvin and she was always happy and helpful.

Kim Barber

August 2, 2019

She was my nursery school teacher, I was the first class to come there. I loved her so much and the funny thing is I was just talking about her yesterday wondering if I could find her. My parents gave her the rocking chair for nursery school, she was the best. I tried to find her one day to reconnect but couldn't. I'm sorry for your loss I will miss her.

The Staff of Lesko-Polke Funeral Home

August 2, 2019

Offering our sympathies at this time.

August 2, 2019

Our deepest sympathy, what a caring and loving person. She will be remembered in all of the hearts of the people with whom she came in contact. Fondly, Dick and Barbro Lund

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Funeral services provided by:

Lesko Funeral Home, Preplanning, and Cremation Services - Fairfield

1209 Post Road, Fairfield, CT 06824

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