Johanna "JoAnn" Hyde

She was born on July 7, 1929, in Stratford, the daughter of Peter and Anna (Borodach) Hrabstock and the youngest of 6 siblings. Her childhood was not easy as her father died of black lung when she was only 7, and then her mother died unexpectedly when she was 13, leaving her to be raised by her 5 older siblings.

Nevertheless, she graduated with honors from Warren G. Harding High School in 1948, and after some additional years in night school began her career as an Executive Assistant for a variety of companies, most notably General Electric because it was while working there that she met her future husband, Robert L. Hyde. They were married in 1965, and three years later her son Craig was born. Together, JoAnn and Robert raised 5 children, and JoAnn was the most loving and attentive homemaker and mother any child could ask for. During that time they moved around to several places before ultimately settling in Austin, TX.

After her children grew and left home, she returned to her career as an Executive Assistant for the University of Texas until, at the age of 73, she began losing her eyesight to age-related macular degeneration. By the age of 80, she was legally blind, but adapted by learning to use her cane and by memorizing a rolodex worth of phone numbers and all her credit card numbers. After her husband Robert passed away in 2013, she was taken in by her niece Suzanne Mora in Milford until Suzanne's untimely passing from ALS at the age of 73. During Suzanne's last years, JoAnn managed to cook and care for her despite being blind. After Suzanne's passing, JoAnn moved into the Crescent Point Assisted Living facility in Niantic, where she lived comfortably until her peaceful passing on November 08 - the birthday of her late husband Robert.

JoAnn loved cooking, classical music and writing - she composed several heart-breaking stories adapted from her childhood as part of a children's literature program, and she developed recipes that are still used in the family to this day. She was well-known for her legendary generosity, a Hrabstock family trait.

JoAnn is survived by her son Craig Hyde and grandchildren Quintin and Nika Hyde of Old Lyme; daughter Lynn Griffin of Greeneville, TN; son Russell Hyde of Mt. Pleasant, MI; son Richard Hyde of Houston, TX; son Randall Hyde of Crosby, TX; nephew David Hrabstock, grand-nephew Ryan Hrabstock, and godson and nephew Dan Huydics of Norwalk.

In addition to her husband, she was predeceased by her siblings Nicholas Hrabstock, Anna Mora, Mary Barrett, Helen Huydics, and John Hrabstock; niece Suzanne Mora; grand-nephew Scott Hrabstock; and nephews Wally Hrabstock, Bruce Barrett, and Cary Huydics.

A small service will be held 1pm on Monday, November 18 at Fulton-Theroux Funeral Home, 13 Lake Ave., Niantic.