Mary K. Hotchkiss

Meriden-Mary (Kranich) Hotchkiss, 84, of Meriden, CT and Palm Beach Gardens, FL, passed away on August 31st. She was the loving wife of Earl Hotchkiss. Mary was born on July 5, 1924 in Southington to the late Edward and Anna Kranich. Mary was a longtime resident of Southington prior to moving to Meriden 9 years ago. She died as beautiful and sharp as she ever was, amazing all she encountered with an active mind kept stimulated by bridge, crossword puzzles, and Jeopardy, and a youthful appearance and lively spirit attributable to her large and vivacious family. In addition to her husband, she leaves her cherished children, Mark and Denise Hotchkiss of Essex, Pamela and Gary Fontanella of Meriden, and Gail Carone and Stephen Zagoren of Northport, NY.

She is also survived by her caring sister Bette and husband Bob DeRosa, her brother Bill Kranich and his wife Mary, and her sister-in-law, Julianne Kranich. She was "Nonnie" to her eight grandchildren: Kerry (Fontanella) and James Crossen, Megan (Fontanella) and Jayson Remmelts, and Sara Fontanella, Ashley and Kyle Hotchkiss Carone, Brooke and Jill Hotchkiss and Michelle (Hotchkiss) and David Sweezey; and a great-grandmother to Todd and Ben Sweezey and Jack and Caiden Crossen. She was predeceased by her brother Edward Kranich.

As a mother and a grandmother she was unparalleled: tremendously loving and forever devoted. She was a true friend to all and the finest of friends to the ladies she worked beside at Meriden Orthopedic Group and those she wintered with in Florida. Anyone who knew Mary would remark on her quiet dignity and grace – she was a lady in the truest sense of the word. She taught us all about love and humility, tolerance and kindness to others.

If life is a seafaring journey then Mary would have been the captain of the ship, and there are many people who are feeling lost at sea without her. As we move forward together we will take solace in knowing that she is forever in our hearts, a hero to us all.

Memorial services will be held on Friday, Sept. 5, 2008 at 11 a.m. at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 20 Catlin St. Meriden. Burial will be at the convenience of the family. Calling hours will be from 5-8 p.m.on Thursday at the DellaVecchia Funeral Home, 211 N. Main St. Southington.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to HEM/ONC Fund, CT Children’s Medical Center, 282 Washington St. Hartford, CT 06106.  

Click for St. Andrew's Episcopal Church

Visitation

Date

Time

Thursday, Sept. 4, 2008

5-8 p.m.

Visitation Location

DellaVecchia Funeral Home

211 N. Main St.

Southington, CT 06489