Mrs. Rena M. (Callegari) Kowalczyk

Old Lyme- “Rena” Garana Maria (Callegari) Kowalczyk, R.N. Age 90, died peacefully in her home in Old Lyme, on Saturday, April 23, 2011. Her loving and devoted husband Stanley, of 69 years, by her side.

Rena was born August 17, 1920 in Cosola, Italy the daughter of Valentine and Pierina Callegari. She married Stanley L. Kowalczyk February 7, 1942 in New Britain, CT.

Rena attended and graduated from the New Britain General Hospital School of Nursing as an R.N. in 1941. She worked in the hospital's Maternity Ward for over 40 years before retiring in 1983. Shortly after retirement she and Stanley moved from New Britain to Old Lyme, to enjoy the peace and serenity of White Sands Beach.

Rena was a member of Saint John the Evangelist Church in New Britain , Christ the King Catholic Church in Old Lyme, and the Nursing Association of CT.

She was an avid bowler and belonged to NBGH bowling league. She enjoyed fishing and knitting, summering in Old Lyme and sunning on the beach but mostly, she enjoyed relaxing with and enjoying her family.

In addition to her husband Stanley, Rena is survived by sons and daughters-in-law; Ronald and Virginia (Biscoglio) of Scotch Plains, N.J., Robert and Nancy (Hostmeyer) of Vernon, Richard and Anne (Dahlberg) of Ivoryton, Reed and Yvonne (Johnston) of Fayetteville, N.C., a daughter; Lynne Kowalczyk of Berlin; a brother Alfred Callegari and wife Grace (Holmes) of Berlin, a sister Lena (Callegari) Brown and husband William of Berlin; 8 grandchildren, Jeffrey, Gregory, Robert, Smyth, Jessica, Taylor, Nicholas and Morgan and 6 great grandchildren; a niece, Diane Funk of Berlin, and nephew, Thomas Callegari of Southington and her special friends Richard and Luisa Grogan.

Stanley and the family would like to thank devoted friends and neighbors, Beth Kavy, and Richard and Louise Grogan for their wonderful continuing support and comfort they have provided to Rena and Stanley over many years.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, April 29, 2011 at 10:30 am in Christ the King Church, McCurdy Rd., Old Lyme. Calling hours will be held at 9:00 am prior to the Mass in Fulton-Theroux Funeral Home, 13 Beckwith Ln., Old Lyme, CT 06371. Internment will follow in Conn. Veteran's Cemetery, Bow Ln., Middletown. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to Hospice Southeastern Connecticut, 227 Dunham St., Norwich, CT 06360or the Alzheimer’s Association, 2075 Silas Deane Highway, Suite 100, Rocky Hill, CT 06067. Please visit www.fultontherouxoldlyme.com for photos, tributes, flowers and more service information.