Loretta Kryzanski

1946 - 2023

Loretta Kryzanski
05/24/2023
Loretta Ann (May) Kryzanski, age 77, of Stratford, died on May 24, 2023, surrounded by her family after a sudden illness. Widow of Henry Kryzanski, Jr and partner "Rhett" to Dale McClanan of Stratford. Cherished and devoted mother of Attorney Daniel Kryzanski and his wife Beverly of Stratford, Michael Kryzanski and his wife Halina of Southington, Dr. James Kryzanski and his wife Katherine of Chestnut Hill, MA, and Thomas Kryzanski and his wife Sharon of Fairfield. Loving grandmother of Krystyna and Rhodric McCurdy, Henry, Alyssa, Kaitlyn-Marie, Erik, Jonathan, Marek, Monika, Daria, Delia, Joseph, James, John, Fianna, Giulia, Quinn Kryzanski, and the late Mary Erin Kryzanski. Honorary "Gramma" to Holly McClanan of North Attleboro, MA, Noah and Megan McClanan of Boston, MA, and Christian McClanan of Nagoya, Japan. Adored sister of Agnes Abed and the late John, Patricia and Joe Kubic, Rita and Victor Zigmont, Peggy and John Haydu, Joan and Ed Baird, Tom May, Bob McCarrick, the late Joseph May and Ruth McCarrick, and dedicated aunt to 24 nieces and nephews and dozens of grandnieces and grandnephews. Lifelong friend to many, especially the Stratford High School Class of 1963 and classmates from Southern Connecticut State University. Born on January 4, 1946 in Bridgeport to the late Thomas and Ruth (Lawrence) May, Loretta's first home was in the Father Panik Village. As a child, Loretta was a gifted and popular student. She won the prestigious Lavinia Warren Barnum festival competition in elementary school and was named the May Queen at Stratford High School. She cultivated a lifelong love of learning and appreciation of the arts, sharing it with her children, grandchildren and all whom she encountered. Loretta's pride in her family, particularly in the success of her sons, was her driving force. Though widowed at a young age, she put her boys through college and graduate school by hard work and sacrifice. Loretta relished giving back to others and participating in community events. She also competed keenly in road races as a mature runner, dominating her age group. She avidly sought new adventures, traveled the world, hiked mountains, and met many prominent politicians who never escaped before hearing her solutions to the country's problems. Loretta took on many roles over her life: she managed her husband's business while raising 4 young children, she was a dedicated elementary and special needs teacher in the Stratford Public Schools who completed her teaching masters while pregnant, a property manager who treated tenants like family, a volunteer reader to the blind, a member of the Stratford Commission on Aging, and a docent at the Stratford Helicopter Museum. Her favorite role was as "Gramma". Loretta was a stalwart fixture at the soccer, football, baseball, rugby fields, swimming pool or anywhere one of her children or grandchildren played, and was the first to offer assistance to any of her children in need. Loretta's dedication to healthful living was legendary and her habits are forever impressed on her descendants, whether they like it or not. Loretta was energetic, eternally youthful, and the anchor for her immediate family, her sisters and so many others who now have a permanent hole in their hearts. The Kryzanski family welcomes friends and loved ones to attend a Funeral Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 am on Friday, June 2, 2023 by meeting directly at Our Lady of Peace Church, 651 Stratford Road, Stratford (Lordship), CT, with interment to follow at Putney Cemetery at Booth Park. Visiting Hours at the William R. McDonald Funeral Home, 2591 Main Street, Stratford, CT, on Thursday, June 1, 2023 from 4:00 pm to 6:30 pm, with a Celebration of Life at 6:30 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations would be gratefully accepted to The Thomas and Ruth Lawrence May Scholarship Fund, in memory of Loretta Ann Kryzanski, care of the Stratford High School Scholarship Committee, 245 King St, Stratford CT 06615. Great thanks to the compassionate doctors, nurses and staff of St. Vincent's Hospital, Bridgeport. For directions or to share a memory visit www.wrmcdonaldfuneralhome.com