Obituary of JoAnn Shola-Przygoda

Shola-Przygoda JoAnn Luz Shola-Przygoda, age 78, of Stratford, passed away peacefully on Saturday, February 14, 2009 in her home with her family by her side. Born in Flushing, New York on April 6, 1930, she was a daughter of the late Isidoro and Dorothy Schneider Luz. She graduated from St. Vincent Medical Center School of Nursing in 1951. After taking time off to raise her family, she returned to St. Vincent's and retired after 32 years of service. JoAnn was the president of the Retired Nurses of St. Vincent's and also an active member of the Marian Guild of Our Lady of Grace.

She was widowed by two wonderful husbands, Dennis Shola and Watson Przygoda, and was also the mother a beloved daughter, Dorothy Shola Gravino who predeceased her.

Survivors include her loving daughters, Lynn Shola of Stratford and Denise Bachman and her husband Robert of Wallingford, and a dedicated sister, Marsha Whitehead of Pensacola, FL, three cherished grandchildren who she loved spending time with, Stephanie, Dennis and Amanda, dear friends, Dot Shepard, Liz Griffin Christiansen, Larry Regina, Bill Miklos and David Steinert and several additional devoted family members and friends.

The family would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to the caring and wonderful Dr. Dhangel and the staff and nurses of the Infusion Center and 7 East at St. Vincent Medical Center.

Funeral services will take place on Wednesday, February 18, 2009 at 9 a.m. from the Abriola Parkview Funeral Home, 419 White Plains Road, Trumbull, and at 10 a.m. at Our Lady of Grace Church, Stratford for a Mass of Christian Burial. Interment will follow in Lakeview Cemetery, Bridgeport. Friends may call on Tuesday from 4-8 p.m. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in her honor may be made to the Swim Across the Sound, c/o St. Vincent Medical Center Foundation, 2800 Main Street, Bridgeport, CT 06606.