Ariana Shako

Born September 22, 1933 in Paris, France, Ariana was the daughter of the late Vladimir and Ilona (Lilau) Shako.

She attended schools in France and Germany during WWII enduring many hardships of those war-torn nations. Her family moved several times during the war in search of safety resulting in Ariana entering a different school every couple of years. As a result, she became fluent in multiple languages including French, German and Russian. The family emigrated to the USA in 1948 and settled in Danbury, CT. Ariana entered Danbury High School, learned to speak English and graduated while working to help support her family. She then attended Danbury Teacher’s College (now Western Connecticut State University) and graduated with a degree in Library Science from Southern Connecticut State University in New Haven, CT. It was during this time that her family became American citizens, something Ariana was always proud of.

Ariana was employed for several years as a Librarian at the Danbury Public Library, Danbury, CT. She then accepted the position of school library teacher at Garden Street School and the John F. Kennedy School in Brewster, NY where she worked for 34 years. As part of her teaching curriculum, Ariana developed a program where students learned basic library science including her favorite, the Dewey Decimal System. Several of her students participated in volunteer programs at school libraries.

Ariana will be remembered for her hard work to create a better life for her parents and herself. She was admired for her fierce independence, keen intelligence and lifelong learning. Ariana loved gardening, watching the birds in her yard, and the company of the chihuahuas she had during her life. She was a loyal friend.

She was a member of the New York State Teacher Association, the New York Retired Teacher Association, the Putnam County Retired Teacher Association, the Danbury Area Computer Society, several area ski clubs, and the New Fairfield Senior Center, where she was very active in several activities including the Mah-Jongg Club.

In addition to her parents, Ariana was predeceased by her companion Konstantin (Stan) Knepher.

She is survived by many close, long-time friends who wish to extend a special thank you to the staff at The Village of Brookfield Commons for the tender care they provided to Ariana over the past two years.

A Celebration of Life will take place at the Green Funeral Home, 57 Main St., Danbury, CT on Saturday, October 26, 2024, at 11:00am, followed by a prayer service at 12:00 noon.

A private burial will take place in Mountain View Cemetery, New Fairfield, CT.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Ariana’s memory can be made to The Friends of New Fairfield Senior Center, 33 CT RT37, New Fairfield, CT 06812; the New Fairfield/Sherman Animal Welfare Society, 223 CT RT 37, New Fairfield, CT 06812; or the New Fairfield Volunteer Fire Department, 302 Ball Pond Rd., New Fairfield, CT 06812.