Dorothy Frances Wilchynski

Dorothy Frances Ryzewski-Wilchynski, widow of John Richard Wilchynski, passed in her home with her God, Jesus on November 3, 2024, with her family by her side. She leaves her only sister, Beverly Boughton of North Branford, her two children, Stephen and Karen. Stephen is married to Cathy Papa and Karen is married to John Keith Hajus who produced grandchildren, Stephanie Higgins (Brendan Higgins), Jessica LeClair (Ashton LeClair), Lauren Hajus and Claire Hajus. Dorothy was born August 25, 1931, in New Haven to the late Stephen & Frances Ryzewski, attended Sacred Heart School, attended Commercial High School, and was a member of the first class to graduate from Wilbur Cross High School. Next came Stone Business College where she learned to be a stenographer. First working for the Knights of Columbus as secretary in the medical department and then on to C.S Mersick & Co. in New Haven. Dorothy met John Richard Wilchynski (Richie to friends and family) at a dance at Warsaw Park and continued to dance throughout their lifetime as their main pleasure as husband and wife. Saturday night dances meant dressing up and meeting friends they made over the years who all loved ballroom and polka style dancing. Married in 1954, and five years later, decided it was time to start a family. After raising her children, Dorothy became secretary for the Connecticut Milk Dealer’s Association for many years before retiring. Dorothy & John traveled since their 25th anniversary and every year thereafter to many places, namely Italy, England, Scotland, Wales, Greece, Las Vegas, New Orleans, Florida (Disney / Epcot), Hawaii, along with many cruises to various locations like Alaska and the Caribbean. The most memorable cruise was to Bermuda with the entire family. For over 30 + years, Dorothy belonged to a group of neighborhood ladies calling themselves the “Knit Wits” that met on Thursday nights at each other’s homes crocheting, cross stitching and of course talking about each other’s week to gain support from one another. Dorothy, for over 25 years, enjoyed swimming therapy for her two hips and one knee replacements at the pool at Gaylord rehab in Wallingford. She enjoyed the warm pool environment. When asked how the pool was today, she would say, “It was wonderful.” She met many friends at the pool including Sharon Giles and Jan Lyons who would frequently all go to lunch together after the pool. For 30 years she enjoyed aerobics classes at the Hamden Senior center hall, rarely missing classes. She made many friends who she looked forward to seeing each week. You knew where Dorothy was every Friday morning, as she maintained a standing weekly appointment to have her hair done on Friday mornings. She was most happy working outside in her backyard and feeding the many birds that came to her bird feeders. Her family would like to recognize and thank Yale New Haven hospital staff, her primary care and cardiologist at Yale New Haven Health, Hospice in-home nurses and staff along with her in-home caregivers Esther, Maria “Chicky”, Michelle, Brenda and Denise for their support and caring of our mother.

Dorothy Frances Wilchynski

August 25, 1931 - November 3, 2024