Guðrún A.M. Boncoddo

Guðrún A.M. Boncoddo of Monroe, CT, died February 24, 2019 at the age of 93. Guðrún, daughter of Guðmundur Júlíus Júlíusson and Jarþrúður Bernharðsdottir, was born on October 31, 1925 in Iceland. Bina, as she is known in Iceland, enjoyed the great outdoors: hiking, swimming, skating and horseback riding. She and her sister Heiða were especially close and their devotion lasted until Heiða passed. Alma (a childhood friend) and her husband Einar Runolfsson also remained Bina’s dear lifelong friends. During WWII, American military were stationed in Iceland and she met John, a captain in the American army. Guðrún travelled far from home through the Nazi-infested Atlantic Ocean, finally arriving in Boston, MA, to join John's family. The two married on the first anniversary of Icelandic independence from Denmark: June 17, 1945. Theirs was a love story that lasted 65 years. Trained as a seamstress, Guðrún had a love for designing and creating beautiful clothes, jewelry, and paintings. She and John enjoyed music and dancing. After moving to Monroe, CT in 1967, the Boncoddo family became a fixture in the community. They were founding members of St. Jude’s Parish, Monroe, and Guðrún (Gwen) remained active there throughout her life. Locals will also remember her as “Miss Gwen,” the cosmetician at Town Hall Pharmacy, Trumbull, where she worked for over 25 years. Many friends and family will miss her generous spirit and hospitality. Guðrún is survived by her brother Árni (Margrét) Guðmundsson of Reykjavik; four children: Jarþrúður Williams and husband Oskar Kristinsson of Reykjavik, John Boncoddo and wife Lorraine of Nashua, NH, Maureen Anderson and husband Larry of Monroe, CT, and Robert Boncoddo and partner Christine Michel of Monroe, CT; six grandchildren: Rúnar (Þóra) Bernburg, Hanna (Örn) Hilmarsdóttir, Christopher Boncoddo, Venessa (Peter) Eisenman, Jon-Mikael Anderson, and Robert Boncoddo II; eleven great-grandchildren; and two great-great grandchildren. She is predeceased by her beloved husband John C. Boncoddo, her loving parents Guðmundur Júlíus Júlíusson and Jarþrúður Bernharðsdottir and six of her siblings: Júlíus Bernhardur Guðmundsson, Bjarnheidur (Heiða) Unnur Guðmundsdóttir Faber, Agnes Guðmundsdóttir Baukol, Jórunn Guðmundsdóttir, Anna Astveig Guðmundsdóttir; and Bernharður Guðmundsson. Friends may call on Friday March 1 from 4-8 p.m. at the Spadaccino and Gallagher Funeral Home 315 Monroe Tpke., Monroe, CT. On Saturday, March 2, friends are invited to Guðrún’s funeral service at 10:30 a.m. at St. Jude Parish, 707 Monroe Tpke., Monroe, CT.