Obituary for Anne McGrath
Anne Y. McGrath beloved mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend, passed away on Wednesday, February 20, 2019. She was the widow of Judge William J. McGrath, of Fairfield, Connecticut and Haines City, Florida. She is survived by her children Dr. Kevin McGrath of Wethersfield, Connecticut and Kim McGrath Avelino, son-in-law Alfie Avelino, and grandson Liam Avelino of Winter Garden, Florida, her brother Louis Cappucci Jr. and sister-in law Susan Cappucci of Monroe, Connecticut, her sister-in-law Dorothy Kollar of Fairfield, Connecticut., her brother-in-law John Sosik of Shelton, Connecticut, as well as several precious nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews, and many wonderful friends. Anne is preceded in death by her sister Irene Geanuracos and brother-in-law Constantine Geanuracos. She is also previously deceased by her sisters-in-laws Maryellen Sosik and Teresa Kozak, as well as her brother-in-law Chester Kozak.
Anne was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut on June 1st, 1933. Her mother Sophie Molones was a first generation Greek American and her father Peter Yerontakis was an immigrant who was born in Athens Greece. Anne was fluent in both Greek and English. She graduated from Central High School in Bridgeport , Ct and attended the University of Bridgeport on a Nursing Scholarship. She graduated from the University of Bridgeport with a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Nursing, and had careers as both a hospital and School Nurse. Anne eventually switched careers and became an elementary school teacher, receiving her Master’s of Education from the University of Bridgeport. She taught First Grade in Stratford and Fairfield Connecticut. In addition she piloted a Readiness First Grade program and was one of the first two teachers to pilot a Special Education Class for Learning Disabled Students in Fairfield, Connecticut. She also taught sixth grade at Osborne Hill School in Fairfield. She received a Sixth Year Diploma in Education Administration from Fairfield University and later became an Assistant Principal. After one year as an Assistant Principal she was appointed Principal at North Stratfield School, in Fairfield, Connecticut. Anne was principal there for 18 years, during which time she developed a wonderful, warm, and creative learning environment for children alongside the North Stratfield teachers and parents. She always referred to children, teachers, and parents as her North Stratfield Family.
Anne’s passions included her family, friends, and her Miniatures! She eventually moved to Central Florida and became involved in the Lakeland Miniature Guild, where she participated in many workshops, miniature shows and met many wonderful friends. In Florida she lived in Haines City, Celebration, and Winter Garden, Florida. Anne always treasured her dear family and friends from up north and in Florida, and was so touched by the number of family and friends who came to visit her when they learned of her illness. Her children are very grateful for the love and sunshine that family and friends brought to her during these past months as well as during her lifetime.
More than anything, Anne loved her family, friends, children and laughter. Anne had an infectious smile that lit up a the room and and belly laugh that truly filled a room. While we will all dearly miss her, she would want us to celebrate her life with joy and laughter, not to be sad; and to hug and hold each other just a little bit tighter. In lieu of flowers, her children suggest a donation in her name to St. Jude’s Hospital to help children fight childhood cancer. In addition her children are requesting that people wear turquoise or royal blue, her favorite colors to her Celebration of Life, if possible. Anne’s Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, March 9th at Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Celebration, Florida. Gathering time will be from 12:30 - 1:00 p.m., with the service beginning promptly at 1:00 p.m. A reception will immediately follow the service. Please refer to funeral details on the Winter Oaks Funeral Home website winteroakfuneralhome.com for more information.
Anne was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut on June 1st, 1933. Her mother Sophie Molones was a first generation Greek American and her father Peter Yerontakis was an immigrant who was born in Athens Greece. Anne was fluent in both Greek and English. She graduated from Central High School in Bridgeport , Ct and attended the University of Bridgeport on a Nursing Scholarship. She graduated from the University of Bridgeport with a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Nursing, and had careers as both a hospital and School Nurse. Anne eventually switched careers and became an elementary school teacher, receiving her Master’s of Education from the University of Bridgeport. She taught First Grade in Stratford and Fairfield Connecticut. In addition she piloted a Readiness First Grade program and was one of the first two teachers to pilot a Special Education Class for Learning Disabled Students in Fairfield, Connecticut. She also taught sixth grade at Osborne Hill School in Fairfield. She received a Sixth Year Diploma in Education Administration from Fairfield University and later became an Assistant Principal. After one year as an Assistant Principal she was appointed Principal at North Stratfield School, in Fairfield, Connecticut. Anne was principal there for 18 years, during which time she developed a wonderful, warm, and creative learning environment for children alongside the North Stratfield teachers and parents. She always referred to children, teachers, and parents as her North Stratfield Family.
Anne’s passions included her family, friends, and her Miniatures! She eventually moved to Central Florida and became involved in the Lakeland Miniature Guild, where she participated in many workshops, miniature shows and met many wonderful friends. In Florida she lived in Haines City, Celebration, and Winter Garden, Florida. Anne always treasured her dear family and friends from up north and in Florida, and was so touched by the number of family and friends who came to visit her when they learned of her illness. Her children are very grateful for the love and sunshine that family and friends brought to her during these past months as well as during her lifetime.
More than anything, Anne loved her family, friends, children and laughter. Anne had an infectious smile that lit up a the room and and belly laugh that truly filled a room. While we will all dearly miss her, she would want us to celebrate her life with joy and laughter, not to be sad; and to hug and hold each other just a little bit tighter. In lieu of flowers, her children suggest a donation in her name to St. Jude’s Hospital to help children fight childhood cancer. In addition her children are requesting that people wear turquoise or royal blue, her favorite colors to her Celebration of Life, if possible. Anne’s Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, March 9th at Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Celebration, Florida. Gathering time will be from 12:30 - 1:00 p.m., with the service beginning promptly at 1:00 p.m. A reception will immediately follow the service. Please refer to funeral details on the Winter Oaks Funeral Home website winteroakfuneralhome.com for more information.