Lee Richard

Griswold- Lee Rita (Mykietyn) Richard, a woman of deep faith, fierce tenacity, and unwavering dedication to her family, passed away peacefully at her home on Sunday, March 22, 2026, with her family by her side. She was 83.

Born in Norwich on March 11, 1943, to the late Paul and Leola (Maynard) Mykietyn, Lee grew up with a strong sense of duty and heritage. A lifelong resident of the area, she was a devoted and tireless daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother and friend. For the final 30 years of her mother's life, Lee shared a home with her mother and her sister, Cheryl, acting as a dedicated caregiver for both. Shortly after graduating with honors from St. Bernard High School in 1961, she married the love of her life, Noel "Ted" Richard, Jr., on October 13, 1962. Together, they built a beautiful life centered on their family and her faith.

Standing only 4'9", Lee was a powerhouse of intellect and grit, qualities attributed to her French-Canadian and Ukrainian roots. Dedicated to her personal growth while raising her family, she graduated with honors from the former Huntington Institute in 1986. This academic success paved the way for a professional life that served as a testament to her meticulous nature and her love for the Catholic Church; serving for twenty years as the Parish Secretary for Our Lady of Lourdes, as well as providing dedicated support to St. Mary and the Diocese of Norwich at the Chancery. Her spirit and sense of humor often led to remarkable adventures; most notably, in support of a parish charity event, Lee once engaged* an up-and-coming Mike Tyson in a six-round charity bout-which was fought to a spirited draw. Even while managing her career, her family, and the occasional heavyweight, Lee remained a steadfast pillar for her family, her friends, and the many lives she touched in her daily circles.

At home, Lee was known for her spotless house and her practical-if sometimes unconventional-resourcefulness. In the early years of raising her boys, she famously used the pilot light of her gas stove to dry socks to save on energy costs; an endeavor that occasionally resulted in a stray sock finding its way into a meatloaf pan. While she never claimed to be a fan of cooking, she was an expert at finding joy in the simple things: shopping (leaving behind a legendary collection of over 60 pairs of jeans), watching figure skating, and wrangling a long line of beloved family dogs (and one goat). In her later years, she cherished her travels to Florida and Virginia to visit her sons and their families. Though a teetotaler for most of her life, her retirement years were punctuated by a glass of white wine with "copious" ice, poured from the largest, most economical jug Ted could find at the local package store.

Preceded in Death By: Lee was predeceased by her parents; her sister, Linda; her brother, Paul; and her beloved son, Mathew.

Survivors: She is survived by her devoted husband of 63 years, Noel T. Richard, Jr; her sister, Cheryl of Norwich; and her three sons: Theodore of Florida, Nicholos (Stacy) of Virginia, and Dan (Vicki) of Griswold. She leaves behind a legacy of love in her grandchildren, Maygan, Marshall, Maggie, Madison, and Allison, as well as numerous great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.

Services: Services and burial will occur at a later date at the convenience of the family. To leave a condolence or share a memory, please visit www.GriswoldFunerals.com.

* lie