Obituary of JoAnn M. Szygiel

JoAnn M. (Strazza) Szygiel, age 69, of Trumbull, passed away peacefully on Monday, November 14, 2022 at St. Mary's Hospital in Waterbury surrounded by her loving family. She was the beloved wife of the late Steve S. Szygiel. Born in Greenwich on February 23, 1953, she was a daughter of the late Anthony and Antoinette (Tenaglia) Strazza. Mrs. Szygiel proudly obtained her Bachelor's Degree in elementary education from Western Connecticut State University. She taught preschool at St. Paul's Child Development Center in Bridgeport for many years before her retirement, where she built many friendships along the way. She looked forward to attending Broadway shows and musicals with her daughters and friends. JoAnn loved to cook and was famous for her chicken cutlets and apple pie that everyone raved about. Her greatest enjoyment however was found in the time she spent surrounded by her family, especially her grandchildren, whom she adored above all else. A loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend of many. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

She is survived by her loving children, Amy O'Hagan and her husband Sean of Bel Air, MD, Laura Gaylord and her husband Jim of Saco, ME, and Stephen A. Szygiel and his wife Kara of Trumbull, her six cherished grandchildren, Sophie and Jack O'Hagan, J.J. and Thomas Gaylord and Stosh and Crew Szygiel, her sisters, Roxanne Azud and her husband Rich, MaryAnn Charpentier and her husband Jim and CathyAnn Ginise, her brother, Anthony Strazza and his wife Angela, as well as many nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, too numerous to mention.

In addition to her husband, she was predeceased by her beloved grandson, Stosh Walter Szygiel.

The family would like to thank the ladies of Southmayd Home and the ICU staff at St. Mary's Hospital in Waterbury for the loving care and attention they provided.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, November 22, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. in St. Theresa Church, 5301 Main St., Trumbull. Interment will be held privately at the convenience of the family. Friends may greet the family on Monday from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Abriola Parkview Funeral Home, 419 White Plains Rd., Trumbull.

In lieu of flowers, please consider memorial contributions to the research and cure of Progressive Supranuclear Palsy. Donations may be made at www.CurePSP.org.