Kathleen Ann Ryzewski

Kathleen Ann Ryzewski died peacefully and surrounded by family on November 27, 2022 after a long, courageous battle with cancer. Kathy was born on November 4, 1951, to the late Anthony Krugel and Nancy Cronin Krugel in Derby, Connecticut. In 1967 she met her husband and best friend Joseph Ryzewski at a Notre Dame-Sacred Heart mixer, and the high school sweethearts married in 1976. Kathy was a longtime resident of Westville, New Haven before she moved to Cedar Woods, Branford in 2020. She was the mother of Krysta (Kaitlin Deslatte) and Laura Ryzewski, and the adoring grandmother of Kazimir and Kamille. She is survived by her husband, her three siblings Reverend Stephen Krugel, Robert Krugel (Robyn), Eileen Krugel (Jerome Fainer), and numerous beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, and in-laws. Kathy was a graduate of Sacred Heart Academy in Hamden (‘69) and later received her Associate’s degree with honors in Women’s Studies from Gateway Community College (’94), which was one of her proudest accomplishments. After raising her daughters as a stay-at-home mom, she founded the after-school program and Vacation Bible School at St. Aedan School in New Haven. Kathy also served as leader for the school’s Brownie and Girl Scout troops. She then served as the Office Manager of the Archdiocese of Hartford’s Office of Family Life for 23 years before retiring. Her life was devoted to her faith and community service. She was a parishioner of both St. Aedan Church and St. Rita Church, where she sang in the choir and volunteered for many social justice initiatives. Kathy served on the boards of the Catholic Charity League of New Haven and Marycare, Inc., the advisory council of the Dominican Sisters of Peace Associate, and the planning committee for the Bishop Peter Rosazza Conference. She was also a member of the St. Paul VI Columbiettes of Hamden, the Springs Learning Center, and many other service organizations. She was the recipient of the Catholic Girl Scout Award and the Archdiocese of Hartford St. Joseph Medal. Kathy spent much of her free time crafting, especially cross-stitching, quilting, and knitting. She often created homemade quilts for her family and close friends, and in her final years knitted hundreds of hats to donate to deployed soldiers. Kathy will be remembered fondly for her generosity, kindness, enthusiasm, and contagious smile by the countless people whose lives she touched. A wake and prayer service will be held at Sisk Brothers Funeral Home 3105 Whitney Ave, Hamden from 3-7pm on Thursday, December 1st. A Catholic funeral mass in celebration of her life will be held at St. Rita Church 1620 Whitney Ave, Hamden at 10:30am on Friday, December 2nd. Burial will follow at All Saints Cemetery 700 Middletown Ave, North Haven. Memorial donations in Kathleen’s honor may be made to the Springs Learning Center, 115 Blatchley Ave. New Haven, CT. 06513 (Attn. St. Margaret Mary Kennedy).

Kathleen Ann Ryzewski

November 4, 1951 - November 27, 2022