Joan Osenkowski Conopask

Joan (Conopask) Osenkowski, 92, beloved wife of Walter Osenkowski, passed away on March 3, 2026 in the comfort of her home surrounded by her loving family. Joan was born in Bristol, Connecticut on May 9,1933 to the late Linford and Helen (Zinkewich) Conopask. She was raised in Terryville, was a parishioner of Immaculate Conception Church, and graduated from Terryville High School. Joan later worked at Barnes Group where she met Walter, the love of her life. Once married, she left Barnes Group to raise her family, and shortly thereafter, Joan traveled to Germany by Army boat to join Walt, who was stationed in Dachau. While overseas, she and Walt welcomed the birth of their first daughter, Lynn. When they returned to the states, they made their life in Bristol raising Lynn, Wally, Cheryl, and Donna. Joan was a resident of Bristol and a parishioner of St. Stanislaus Church. An adoring wife, a caring mother and a cherished nana and great-nana, family meant the world to Joan! She was dearly loved by all and she dedicated her life to them, and her love, devotion and faith guided her family through every joy, milestone, and hardship. She enjoyed spending time vacationing in Vermont and New Hampshire, and an occasional dancing weekend in the Catskills and White Mountains. Joan loved the water – swimming in the backyard pool, Lake Champlain, at her aunt's cottage on the lake in New Hampshire, or simply at the local health club water aerobics classes. Dancing whenever the opportunity arose, listening to Walt play the accordion and singing along, birdwatching, cooking, and taking care of her grandchildren and family brought Joan joy and fulfillment. Joan is survived by Walter, her devoted husband of 69 years; three loving daughters and their families: Lynn and Bert Grenier of Bristol, Cheryl and Dan Kozikowski of Wolcott, Donna and Jon Matte of Stratford; seven grandchildren: Crystal Capasso of Bristol, Stacey Grenier of Eden Prairie, MN, Charlene Warner of Bristol, Dane Kozikowski of New Britain, Alyssa Matte of Gray, ME, Bryan Matte of Westfield, NJ, and Celeste Matte of Essex Junction, VT; eight great-grandchildren: James, Gianna, Evelyn, Liam, Krystiana, Blake, Cali, and Bryson; a sister-in-law, Linda Conopask of Elbert, CO; and many cousins, nieces, and nephews. She was predeceased by her son, Walter Jr. and her brother, Royden. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Saturday, March 7, 2026, 10:30am, at St. Stanislaus Church, 510 West St., Bristol. Burial will immediately follow at St. Mary's Cemetery, Terryville. Calling hours will be Friday, March 6, 2026, 5:00-7:00pm at DuPont Funeral Home, 25 Bellevue Ave., Bristol. Memorial donations may be made to: St. Stanislaus Church, 510 West St., Bristol, CT 06010 or St. Jude's Children Hospital, https://www.stjude.org/donate The family would like to extend heartfelt gratitude to: Morning Star Homecare, Dee, for your support and Victoria, for your dedication, compassion and care of Joan during her final journey; and the Hartford Health Care Hospice team.