Irene C. Olszewski

Atty. Irene C. Olszewski, 52, of East Hartford, partner of Deborah A. Gingras, died at home Saturday, (August 31, 2013) in East Hartford surrounded by her friends and family. Born in Hartford, she was the daughter of the late Zigmund P. and Louise R. (Miller) Olszewski and lived in East Hartford most of her life. Irene was a graduate of Penney High School, Charter Oak State College and then Quinnipiac University School of Law, Class of 2001. She was admitted to the Connecticut Bar Association in 2001. Irene had a private law practice for 10 years in Manchester and then East Hartford. She performed pro bono work for The Law Works for People in 2003 and worked with Collaborative Divorce Professionals of Connecticut. Irene had five articles published in the Connecticut Law Tribune, an article in the Connecticut Post and did an interview for the BBC on Gay Law, Same Sex Marriage and Gay Adoption. She also wrote three law blogs; Attorney O's Midnight Musings, CT Law Blog and CT Lesbian & Gay Blog. Irene had an accomplished musical career that started at age 10 as a band leader for Irene's Polka Playmates and then the Irene Olszewski Orchestra as well as several other polka bands including the Twin City Connection and the Dick Pillar Orchestra. Most recently Irene was the leader of the Lavender Hearts Trio. She was an accomplished composer, arranger and producer releasing six CD's; two Christmas CD's with the Lavender Hearts Trio, three vocals and one instrumental of her own music. Irene and Debbie have a seasonal campsite at Brialee Campground in Ashford and leave many friends from the wine trail and throughout the campgrounds. They also celebrated music with the ""porch hang gang"" for many years. She is survived by two sons, Jason Kobelski Olszewski and Matthew Kobelski, both of East Hartford; her best friend Gail Saunders of East Hartford; two brothers, Michael Smith of Waynesville, NC and Joseph Olszewski, East Hartford; a sister, Bertha Webb of Glastonbury; an aunt, Mary Boltz and her husband Bob of Florida; a cousin, Kim Buckley; her goddaughter, Julie Bromley of Storrs as well as several nieces, nephews and dear friends. She was predeceased by a sister, Kathy Walters of East Hartford.

The funeral is Thursday Sept. 5, 2013 beginning at 9 am from the D'Esopo East Hartford Memorial Chapel, 30 Carter St., East Hartford, CT 06118 followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 am at SS Cyril and Methodius Church, 63 Popieluszko Ct., Hartford, CT 06106. Burial will be private. The family will receive relatives and friends on Wednesday from 4-7 pm at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made in Irene's name to the Quinnipiac School of Law, 275 Mt. Carmel Ave., Hamden, CT 06518-1908. For on-line expressions of sympathy, please visit www.desopo.com.