Statia M. Gwudz

Statia Maria Gwudz, 92, passed away peacefully, on February, 15, 2017, at Lawrence Memorial Hospital in New London, after a brief illness. Her parents, Harriet and Stanley Gwudz; her brothers, John and Frank Gwudz; and her sisters, Julia Yankewicz and Jane Cuskelley, predeceased her. She was a life-long resident of Norwich, CT, until her recent move to Atria Crossroads Place, an assisted living facility in Waterford, CT. She graduated from Norwich Free Academy in 1942 and worked as a laboratory technician for several years before returning to assist in the management and operation of her family’s business, Stanley’s Market, on Lafayette Street. Statia was a caring, generous person who often put the needs of others before her own. She devoted much of her adult life to lovingly caring for her invalid mother and helping others who were in need of assistance. She enjoyed knitting and made beautiful things for others. Statia loved to garden and won numerous ribbons for her rose entries in the City of Norwich Rose Arts Festival. In her spare time she took numerous courses at Mohegan Community College and earned an AA degree. She was an active member of St. Joseph’s Church. She is survived by her sisters, Mary McKee of Old Saybrook, CT, and Helen Tarr of Knoxville, TN; and many nieces and nephews and grandnieces and nephews. The family wishes to thank her niece, Janice Gwudz, for faithfully assisting Statia when she was no longer able to drive, and the 5.2 floor staff at Lawrence Memorial Hospital and staff at Atria Crossroads Place for their kindness in caring for Statia. A mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, February, 23, 2017, at 11 AM at St. Joseph’s Church on Cliff St. in Norwich. Burial will follow the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Norwich Free Academy, Hospice, or to a charity of one’s choice. Please visit www.labenskifuneralhome.com to leave an online tribute or condolence.