Connnie Leniart

Born in Bridgeport, Connecticut she was the daughter of the late John Kmiec and Barbara Artymowska Kmiec. Connie graduated from Harding High School and then went on to earn her Associate of Arts Degree in Medical Secretarial from the University of Bridgeport.

In her younger years, Connie played the accordion and was an active member of a Polish dance group. After the unexpected passing of her first husband, Thaddeus in 1960 she spent the next decade raising her two young children on her own with support from her parents so she could work, until marrying John in 1970 at St. Michael’s Church in Bridgeport.

Connie worked holding various secretarial positions as well as having worked as a bank teller and clerk.

After having her three youngest children, Connie was primarily a homemaker, her most important and impactful vocation. Connie’s school-aged children regularly kept her busy with their dance, sports, scouts, and music lessons. Connie also served as John’s co-pilot on the many summertime camping adventures the family took across the country in their motorhome. Family traditions Connie experienced as a child brought her such great delight. Her dedication to creating her own traditions for her children to experience such joy was evident in the many holiday traditions she created for her family. Most memorable are the Christmas and Easter traditions she created, as well as the comfort brought by the consistent routine of gathering around the dining room table after preparing a big Sunday dinner each week following mass.

In addition to creating beautiful childhood memories for her children with the family traditions she created, Connie will be remembered most for her unexpected sense of humor, her strength she demonstrated throughout the many challenges life presented to her, her faith, and her absolute mutual adoration, fondness, and love she had for her granddaughter Abigail.

Connie was a long-time member of St. Lawrence Parish in Shelton where her three youngest children attended elementary school, and she volunteered in their school library. She was also involved in many other church and school groups where she was a parishioner at different churches over the years. Connie’s love of music extended into singing as a member of several church choirs as well as other community singing groups. She was also an active member of the Shelton Senior Center for a number of years. Other interests Connie had included: working in her flower gardens, reading biographies, quilting, sewing, crocheting, painting, coloring, playing different card and board games with family, bingo, po-ke-no, completing jigsaw puzzles, and researching and recording family history. Connie loved to take photos of her family to capture the memories. From time to time, but even more so in her later years, she enjoyed reminiscing, looking at the family pictures.

In addition to the death of her first husband of 3 years, Thaddeus Piaty, Connie is preceded in death by John Leniart, her husband of 54 years, daughter Barbara Piaty, and brother Frank Pabis.

Connie is survived by her children Anthony Piaty of Shelton, Kristine Lucker (Brian) of Monroe, Joseph Leniart (Samran) of Framingham, MA, Susan Leniart (Matt) of Shelton and beloved granddaughter, Abigail Lucker of Monroe.

Friends are invited to calling hours Thursday, September 10 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Spadaccino & Leo P. Gallagher & Son Community Funeral Home, 315 Monroe Turnpike, Monroe, CT 06468. Funeral service to be celebrated Friday September 11 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Jude Catholic Church 707 Monroe Turnpike, Monroe. Burial to immediately follow at St. Michael’s Cemetery, 2205 Stratford Avenue, Stratford.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a memorial donation to Alzheimer’s Association https://www.alz.org/ct