Stanislawa Church

Stanislawa “Stasha” (Kowzun) Church, 92, formerly of East Hartford, peacefully passed away on Monday, February 17, 2025 at Kimberly Hall in Windsor after a long and courageous battle with Alzheimer’s disease. She was the loving wife of 69 years of the late Francis E. Church, Sr. who preceded her in death in August of 2024. Born in Pinsk, Belarus on January 9, 1933, daughter of the late Alexander and Paulina Kowzun, she was a proud citizen of the United States and a resident of East Hartford for over 50 years. Prior to her retirement, she was employed for over 24 years by the state of Connecticut in the Department of Collection Services.

A woman of strong faith, she was a longtime member of All Saints’ Russian Orthodox Church in Hartford and a member of the church Sisterhood. Stasha was a talented seamstress and liked quilting and crocheting. She was an avid gardener and canned many of her vegetables to use throughout the year. She loved to cook for family and friends to enjoy and she always looked forward to hosting her family on holidays and celebrations. She was a loyal fan of the UConn Women’s basketball team and enjoyed visiting Foxwoods casino. Most of all, she was a proud, devoted wife, mother, and grandmother who took great pride in being a caring Baba.

Stasha is survived by a daughter Julia C. Kozikis and her husband Paul of Vernon and Hobe Sound, FL; a son, Francis E. Church, Jr. and his wife Linda of Willington; a brother, Theodore Kowzun and his wife Anita of Newington; a sister, Helen Giliberto and her husband Paul of Newington; four cherished grandsons, Scottie Church and his wife Mandy of Vernon, Patrick Scribner of Holden, Maine, Bryan Church of Willington, Timothy Scribner of Essex Junction, Vermont; two adored great grandchildren, Scottie Jr. and Sophie; several nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends. Along with her beloved husband and parents, she was predeceased by a daughter, Patricia A. Trinks of Manchester; and two brothers, John Kowzun of East Hartford and Walter Kowzun of the Philippines.

A Panikhida funeral service will be Saturday morning (February 22nd) at 10 am at the D’Esopo East Hartford Memorial Chapel, 30 Carter Street, East Hartford. Burial will follow at Cedar Hill Cemetery, (Section 27), Hartford. Stasha’s family will receive relatives and friends on Friday (February 21st) from 4-6 pm at the funeral home chapel. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Stasha’s memory may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association of CT, 200 Executive Blvd, Suite 4B, Southington, CT 06489. The family would like to give special thanks to the Optum Nurses at Kimberly Hall North, Dara, Shannon, Zach, and Nikki for their compassionate care. For on-line expressions of sympathy to the family, please visit www.desopoeh.com