She was born Edith Marie Patzelt, to Wilibald and Helen Patzelt, in Preshov, Slovak Republic, on
December 6, 1930. In 1946, Edith emigrated to Bridgeport, Connecticut with her parents, brothers
George and Otto, and sister Hildegard. She attended Bassick High School in Bridgeport, and graduated
from Slovak Girls Academy in Danville, PA. in 1949.
Edith and Stephen T. Serke were married on June 14, 1952.
Edith went on to earn her B. A. in Political Science and Public Administration from the University of
Bridgeport in 1974, a Certificate of Gerontology from Southern Connecticut State University in 1975, and
a M. A. in Urban-Suburban Administration from the University of Bridgeport in 1981.
In 1959 Edith and Steve built their home in Monroe, CT, where they raised their five children and
became involved in local government and politics. Edith held a number of elected and appointed
positions, including Monroe Planning and Zoning Commission, the Charter Revision Commission, as Vice Chairman of the Monroe Town Council, Housing Authority, and the Greater Bridgeport Regional
Planning Agency. She also volunteered as the President of the League of Women Voters of Monroe and
numerous Housing Advisory committees and councils.
During the 1960s Edith was a licensed Real Estate Broker, and a reporter, then Editor of the weekly
Monroe Courier. She was the Planning Administrator for the Town of Monroe from 1971 – 1972, then
served as a Planner for the Greater Bridgeport Regional Planning Agency from 1973-1974.
In 1974 Edith Serke was instrumental in organizing the Southwestern Connecticut Agency on Aging. Sheserved as Executive Director until her retirement in 2000.
Edith and Steve permanently moved to their home in Windham, Vermont in 2000, where Edith
continued to serve her community as Town Auditor, and as the representative to the Windham Regional
Commission. She also served as a board member and President of the Council on Aging of Southeastern Vermont, on the State Department of Aging and Disabilities Advisory Board, and as a board member and secretary of Valley Cares, Inc.
In her spare time, Edith was a voracious reader, an avid skier, and seasoned traveler.
Edith was married to the late Stephen T. Serke for 52 years, until his death in 2005. She Is predeceased
by her youngest son, Thomas Serke, in 2017.
Edith Serke is survived by her daughter Annette Starkey, son Robert Serke and daughter-in-law Karen
Serke, daughter Susan Serke, and son Kenneth Serke and daughter-in-law Nancy Cardinale. She is also survived by nine grandchildren, twelve great-grandchildren, her sister Hildegard Balog and brother Otto Patzelt.
Edith will be laid to rest beside her husband and son in Windham, Vermont with a private family
ceremony. A memorial in her honor will be held at a later date in Connecticut.
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