Deborah Kowalewski

Deborah "Debbie" Kowalewski, 66, passed away on January 5, 2023, in New Britain, CT. Debbie was the daughter of the late Theodore Engwall and Lenore (Carlin) Engwall. Along with her parents she was also predeceased by her brother Robert "Bob" Engwall. She is survived by her children David Kowalewski of New Britain, Steven Kowalewski and fiancé Emma Klinkhamer of Providence, RI, and Christine Freire and her husband James of Leesburg, VA, her 3 grandchildren that she cherished Maria Freire, Isabella Freire, and Ana Freire, her niece Ansley Engwall of Colombia, SC, her sister-in-law Kyle Barnett of Hartsville, SC, her Uncle Roy Engwall and Aunt Pat Engwall of New Britain, several cousins, and her wonderful friends Richard and Lynn Corcoran of Farmington, CT. A lifelong resident of New Britain, Debbie graduated from Pulaski High School. After high school she worked for Kolodny Brothers, followed by the department of education in 1975 and later that year moved to the Connecticut Department of Children and Youth Services (DCYS), now the Department of Children and Families (DCF). She worked there for 27 years but had to retire early in 2002 after being diagnosed with cancer. Even being forced to retire because of a life-threatening illness didn't bring down her positive spirit. Being with her family was the joy and highlight of Debbie's life, she always wanted to spend as much time as she could with them. No matter what holiday it was she had the house decorated for it. As soon as Thanksgiving was done, she would start sending out Christmas cards and baking cookies for all her family and friends. She also considered her pets as part of her family. Debbie was a loving mother, grandmother, and friend, and she will be greatly and dearly missed.

The wake will be held on Friday, January 13th from 4:00PM to 7:00PM at the New Britain Memorial & Donald D. Sagarino Funeral Home located on 444 Farmington Avenue. The funeral service will be on Saturday at 10:00 a.m. at the funeral home. Internment services will follow at Sacred Heart Cemetery 662 Burritt St. New Britain.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.NewBritainSagarino.com for the Kowalewski family.