Mary Krusinski
Obituary
Mary Krusinski
Asked what her greatest accomplishment was, Mary (Veronica Buzzie Gondar) Krusinski liked referring to an interview she saw with Gregory Peck, “My children are my greatest accomplishment”. She devoted a lot of energy and research into raising her three children. Applying all the cutting edge nutritional guidance from Carlton Fredricks and Adele Davis (no sugar, brewers yeast, cod liver oil and unpasteurized whole milk); filling her home with art prints from Rothko and O’Keefe loaned from the Nichols Library; limited TV time and content (no Batman or Mod Squad– too violent, but Gunsmoke was ok.) She tried unsuccessfully to slow the slide of inevitable near-sightedness by having her children do daily eye exercises and ensured no one would cross a chalk line to get any closer to the TV. She made sure her kids knew their perennials and annuals, how to identify a bird by looking it up in the 6-pound Birds of America tome, how to embroider, make Christmas ornaments and cookies, wash windows, and stay busy all the time. However, Buzzie’s legacy was much more than her kids.
Born in New York City to Mary Hudec and Rudolph Gondar she moved with her family at a young age to the “country” of Shelton, CT. She loved her childhood in Shelton where she would play in the orchards, collect bird nests, read and hangout with an army of siblings and a changing cast of family visitors to the house. Buzzie graduated from St. Cyrils-Methodius Commercial High School, and later earned her GED and a certificate in Paralegal Studies from Fairfield University. Buzzie had a long and successful career as the lead paralegal with the Bridgeport firm of Magilnick, Simko, & Elstein.
Her home in Trumbull for over 40 years, was a bird and animal refuge to deer, turkey flocks, goldfinches, cardinals and a parade of endless cats. She loved the quiet of her home but never turned down an invite to lunch or a cocktail. She loved Broadway plays and Jennings Beach, yet most of all she loved family gatherings. She traveled, biked, hiked and got lost in England, Tokyo, Amsterdam, Switzerland, France, Hawaii, Alaska and St. Thomas, but she anchored each day walking in Twin Brooks Park with her best friend Barbara.
Buzzie’s legacy is love of family and animals, fun and kindness. She was so proud of everyone in her crazy quilt of a family. She was so proud to be a part of it all and didn’t want to miss a thing.
Aged 86, Mary died on June 25th from a long illness borne with her characteristic good humor and grace. In her final hours she was surrounded by family and show tunes. She is survived by a loving and far- flung family; daughters Jill (Redmond, WA) and Laura, and son-in-law Jan Kloub (Waterville, ME); son Kurt and daughter-in-law Jennifer Grove, (Seattle); grandchildren Kyle, Kate and Lena; her sister (Joanne Fabry), brothers Rudy, Bob, Jack Gondar; several cousins, nieces and nephews. Her husband Kurt (Norbert) Krusinski predeceased her.
Services to celebrate Buzzie’s life will be private. Donations in her memory can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.
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