May 19, 1947 – January 17, 2021
Anna (Cebulewska) Coleda, 73, a resident of Voluntown, CT for 43 years, passed away at Norwichtown Rehabilitation and Care Center where she has resided with her husband since 2014. She was born in Abtenau, Austria to the late Maria (Cebulewska) Ukarma. She came to the United States with her parents when she was a young child, locating in Norwich and maintaining ties to the Ukrainian community in Eastern Connecticut. Anna grew up in Norwich and graduated from Norwich Free Academy in 1966. She married her husband, Dennis in 1969, in Oakdale, later settling in Voluntown in 1971, where they lived and raised their two children until they both experienced unfortunate health issues in 2014. She held many jobs over the years. When she was younger, she worked as a caregiver in a local nursing home and at Ortronics in Norwich. Anna worked as a Custodian for several years at Voluntown Elementary School, and in the Deli Department of former Better Val-U in Voluntown.
Anna was predeceased by her mother, Maria (Cebulewska) Ukarma, of Norwich and later Florida; her beloved stepfather Ksenofont Hawryluk of Norwich; her step-father George Ukarma of Norwich and later Florida; her brother Stefon (Steven) Hawryluk of Norwich; her in-laws John and Caroline “Betty” Coleda of Oakdale; her brother-in-law Michael Coleda of Oakdale; and her step-sister Myra Riley. She is survived by her husband Dennis Coleda of Voluntown, and most recently Norwich; her two daughters MaryAnn Coleda of Dayville and Amy Coleda of Lebanon; her granddaughter Rhiannon Martin of Dayville; her sister Lillian Zawacki and her husband Raymond of Lisbon; a stepsister Irene Donovan of Norwich; her sister-in-law Helen Harvey and her husband John of Oakdale; her sister-in-law Deborah Coleda of Montville, and many nieces and nephews, extended family, and dear friends.
Anna, known by many as “Annie”, had an outgoing personality, with a smile that could brighten any room! Her sense of humor and exuberant laugh was infectious. Anyone who met Anna knew she had a genuinely kind spirit. She enjoyed being around people and made friends easily. Her friends and neighbors in Voluntown could always count on Anna to join them for a cup of coffee and conversation. When Anna was sitting outside in her yard, her neighbors often stopped by to chat. Many folks who grew up in Anna’s neighborhood, recall her playing a rollicking game of “Red Light, Green Light” or “Mother May I?” from time to time with the neighborhood kids when they would stop by to visit with her. She had many pastimes throughout the years such as building puzzles, crocheting, cross stitch, paint by numbers, and playing many lively games of Canasta, Scrabble, or Yahtzee with family. She enjoyed traveling with her husband in their RV, and was able to visit many states, and even Canada on their extended trips. Anna was an avid movie lover, and was particularly interested in the mystery, thriller and horror genres. She was fond of reading and especially enjoyed romance novels. She enjoyed listening to her “oldies” music. She was a fan of Elvis Presley and Motown. She loved to dance, and she could be found on the dance floor whenever lively Polka music was being played. Anna adored animals. She was known to feed and spend time with the neighborhood stray cats. Anna was humble, and she enjoyed the simple things in life.
Anna loved her family and friends dearly. Her greatest joy was spending time with her only grandchild. They shared a special bond that will transcend this lifetime! Unfortunately, the pandemic prevented her from spending much time with her granddaughter during the past year. There is no doubt that the isolation from loved ones was heartbreaking for her and her family.
A post-Covid Celebration of Life at Labenski Funeral Home will be planned for a later time when it is safe to gather, and she will then be laid to rest at Robbins Cemetery in Voluntown. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to the American Heart Association www2.heart.org ; American Stroke Association www.stroke.org; American Diabetes Association www.diabetes.org, or Kitty Harbor, Inc. 2263 Glasgo Road Griswold, CT 06351 860-376-9062 or www.kittyharbor.org
Anna was a loving mother and grandmother, a devoted wife, and a caring friend. She will be missed by many who have known and loved her through the years. Although those she leaves behind are deeply grieving her loss, we understand that it was time for her to embark on the next stage of her journey. Love is eternal. Farewell Anna, until we meet again.
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