Wanda Pyrdol

Wanda Pyrdol, age 92, passed away peacefully at Milford Health Care Center, on Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2022.  Wanda, (Vanda, Cioci Vanda), was born in New Haven, Oct. 26, 1929, to Jacob and Mary (Potoniec) Pyrdol.  The second of seven siblings, she was predeceased by older sister Helen Sobolewski, brothers Ted, Zigmunt and John Pyrdol, niece Kathleen Pyrdol, and nephew Edward Gambacini.  She is survived by younger sisters, Frances Gambacini and Mary Mulligan, brother-in-law Thomas Mulligan, sisters-in-law Shirley Pyrdol, Rita Pyrdol and Jane Pyka, nieces Jacqueline Plaskowitz, Bernadette Casella, Katherine Gambacini, Laura Sparso and Rachel Pyrdol, and nephews John H. Pyrdol, Damian Gambacini, Richard Pyrdol and Jason Pyrdol, as well as grand and great-grand nieces and nephews.

Wanda resided in West Haven for over 85 years.  She was a bright student who graduated from West Haven High School in 1947 and a faithful parishioner of Our Lady of Victory Church.  Wanda was a dutiful and loving daughter, who kept house and cared for both parents during their sick and elderly years.  She was a caring and responsible older sister, who treated her younger siblings with candy, ice cream, clothes and car trips.  She faithfully visited her youngest brother, John, as he suffered for many years with multiple sclerosis, and took in her brother Teddy when he needed a home. Soon after high school, Wanda started work at Sperry & Barnes Meat Packing Plant and served as secretary of their local Union 163.  In 1958, she joined Marlin Firearms, as a secretary in the engineering department and member of their athletic association.  She retired in 1995, but continued friendships with several co-workers.  For many years, Wanda made weekend and holiday gatherings at her parents' home possible and wonderful for her siblings and their families.  While adults played pinochle in one room and children played in others, she cooked and cleaned behind the scenes.  Throughout the years, Wanda remained an integral part of family gatherings and served as family historian.  Of her siblings, she spoke the most of her parents’ native Polish language.  She also enjoyed Polish polka music, Polish Christmas carols and polka dancing.  Wanda was quick with wit, slow to arrive and finish tasks on time, particular in food tastes, and a classy dresser.  She was especially well-known for her newspaper reading and storehouse of knowledge on varied subjects.  She also enjoyed TV quiz shows, variety shows, situation comedies, news and good conversation.  We will miss her greatly and cherish her memory.

The hours for visitation will take place on Wednesday, October 5, from 5pm to 7pm, at the West Haven Funeral Home, 662 Savin Avenue, West Haven. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, October 6 at 12 noon, at Our Lady of Victory Church (the former St. John Vianney Church), 300 Captain Thomas Boulevard, West Haven.  Interment will follow in St. Lawrence Cemetery, West Haven.  Donations may be made to the Office of Radio & Television, 15 Peach Orchard Rd., Prospect, CT. 06712

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