Week in Obituaries: Five People With Naugatuck Ties Pass Away

Joan Sullivan, 79

Mrs. Joan A. (Lattimer) Sullivan, age 79, died Wednesday March 6,2013 at Waterbury Hospital. She was the widow of Edward Sullivan.

Mrs. Sullivan was born in Waterbury on July 8,1933 daughter of the late Ralph and Katherine (Markham) Lattimer. She worked as a child care provider for many years and was a communicant of St. Leo the Great Church in Waterbury. She was a member of the St. Leo the Great Ladies Guild, was an avid bowler and enjoyed reading.

Mrs. Sullivan is survived by a son, Kevin Sullivan and his wife Susan of Southbury, her adopted son, David Blanchard and his wife Regina of Cheshire and five grandchildren, Kaitlin Sullivan, Zachary Blanchard, Elijah Blanchard, Samuel Blanchard and Felicia Blanchard.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday March 16,2013 at 11 a.m. at the Buckmiller Brothers Funeral Home 26 Waterbury Rd. Route 69 Prospect. Burial will be at the convenience of the family. There are no calling hours.

To place an online condolence please log on to www.buckmillerbrothers.com

Kenneth Hicock, 51

Kenneth J.  Hicock, age 51, passed away on Thursday March 7, 2013 at the VITAS Unit at St. Mary’s Hospital surrounded by his family.  He was husband to Robin (White) Hicock for 28 years.

Ken was born in Waterbury on June 2, 1961, son of Mary (Lokites) Hicock of Naugatuck and the late Edward F. Hicock.

He was a lifelong Naugatuck resident and had worked for many years as a plumber for Roto-Rooter Company.  His biggest passion in life was fishing, and Ken also enjoyed spending time with his dogs.

Besides his wife and mother, he leaves two brothers, Brian Hicock of Naugatuck, and William Hicock of Southbury;  and several nieces and nephews. Ken was predeceased by his brother Martin Hicock.

Calling hours for Mr. Hicock will be held on Wednesday March 13, 2013  from 6-8 p.m. at the Naugatuck Valley Memorial/Fitzgerald Zembruski Funeral Home, 240 North Main St., Naugatuck.  Memorial contributions may be made to the American Kidney Fund,  6110 Executive Boulevard, Suite 1010, Rockville, MD 20852.  To send an online condolence, please visit www.naugatuckvalleymemorial.com.

Helen Sokoloski, 103

Helen's spirit passed into the arms of The Lord on March 4, 2013 at the age of 103. She was the first of three children born on May 28, 1909 to Joseph Sokoloski and Pauline Jablonski. She was preceded in death by her brother Joseph Sokoloski of Naugatuck and sister, Leona Kozy of Stockton, CA. She passed away within one month of her sister's death in February.

Helen attended schools in Connecticut and earned a Master's Degree in Education from the University of Maine. Her 40 year career in education included her being a beloved classroom teacher and respected elementary principal in the Naugatuck School System. She loved to travel and would spend her summer vacations traveling through Europe, the US and taking classes at the University of Maine.

Helen will be missed and fondly remembered by her many lifelong friends, former students and colleagues and by her niece and godchild, Marylee Calad, of Stockton, Calif., who lovingly referred to her as "Tante.”

Friends may call at the Buckmiller Brothers Funeral Home, 82 Fairview Ave, Naugatuck on Tuesday, March 12, 2013 from 5-7 p.m. A memorial mass will be held on Wednesday, March 13, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Francis of Assisi Church, 318 Church St, Naugatuck. Everyone is asked to meet directly at the church. Burial will be private and at the convenience of the family.

To place online condolences please logon to: www.buckmillerbrothers.com.

Betty Lou Mueller, 82

Mrs. Betty Lou “Gant” (Rixford) Mueller, 82 of Naugatuck, passed away late Monday evening Mar. 4, 2013 at the Beacon Brook Health Care.  She was the widow of Paul Henry Mueller who passed away Jan. 18, 2004 after over 50 years of marriage.

Mrs. Mueller was born in Newport, VT, Aug. 5, 1930, a daughter of the late Wallace and Julia (Allen) Rixford and was educated in the Newport School system and a graduate of Newport High School.  She had been a resident of Naugatuck for many years and retired from Athena Healthcare in 1995, with over 15 years of service as the Food Service Manager at several of their Conn. Locations.

She leaves three sons, Blaine L. Mueller, Keith B. Mueller and Brian E. Mueller all of Naugatuck; one daughter-in-law, Lynn Mueller - wife of Brian, one sister, Eleanor Turgeon of Sun City, CA.; two grandchildren, Daniel B. Mueller and Rebecca L. Mueller and one great-granddaughter, Everleigh D. Herrera and her two dogs, Toby and Penny who she loved very much.  She was predeceased by her siblings, Arlene Pickel, Marion Girourard and Robert Rixford .

Betty will always be remembered for her overwhelming love for her family.  She was a wonderful caring mother and amazing grandmother.  She loved nothing better than to cook for her family and watch them enjoy. She will be missed by everyone that knew her.

Private Services will be held at the convenience of the family. Burial will be in Vermont in the spring. There are no calling hours.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the United Way of Naugatuck and Beacon Falls, P.O. Box 209, Naugatuck, 06770-0209 (www.unitedwaynaugatuck.org ). For further information or to send an online condolence, go to www.aldersonfuneralhomes.com.

Josephine Forchielli, 95

Josephine M. (Bartelli) Forchielli, 95, passed away on Thursday, March 7, 2013 at Beacon Brook Health Center surrounded by her loving family. She was the widow of Edio Forchielli, with whom she shared her life for 64 years.

Josephine was born on January 10, 1918 in Naugatuck, a daughter of Mario and Prudenza (Romiti) Bartelli. She was retired from Peter Paul Cadbury, where she worked for 25 years. She was a member of the Daughters of Isabella and a communicant of St. Francis of Assisi Church.

She is survived by a son Douglas Forchielli and his wife Deborah of Oakville, two daughters; Frances McNulty of Stoughton, MA and Nancy Chicoski and her husband John of Alexandria, Va. and her sister Mary Coppola of Seymour. She will also be missed by her two grandchildren; David Forchielli and his wife Lynne, of Clifton Park, NY and Dina (Forchielli) Sanzari and her husband Joseph, of Waterbury and four great-grandchildren; Stephen and Nicole Forchielli, and Justin and Dillon Sanzari; as well as several nieces and nephews.

The family wishes to thank to Beacon Brook Health Center for all the wonderful care given to our Mom.

The funeral will be held Monday, March 11, 2013. Family and friends may call at Buckmiller Brothers Funeral Home, 82 Fairview Avenue, Naugatuck on Monday morning from 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. Mass will be at St. Francis of Assisi Church at 11 a.m., followed by burial in St. James Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Waterbury V.N.A. Hospice, 50 Brookside Road, Waterbury, CT, 06708, or the Residence Council Fund, Beacon Brook Health Center, 89 Weid Drive, Naugatuck, CT, 06770.

To send an online condolence, please visit www.buckmillerbrothers.com.