Obituary of Adele L. Gayda

Adele L. “Cookie” Gayda, age 88 of Tamarac, FL (formerly of Ansonia), beloved wife of the late George S. Gayda, died peacefully on March 19, 2022.  Born in Derby on June 21, 1933, she was the daughter of the late John and Anna Jausminki Cherowski.  Mrs. Gayda was a longtime resident of Ansonia before moving to FL five years ago.  She was a class of 1951 graduate of St. Vincent’s College of Nursing and worked as a registered nurse at St. Vincent’s Medical Center of Bridgeport, for 20 years.  In 1971, “Cookie” was then employed at the Hewitt Memorial Health Care Center of Shelton for 25 years, until the time of her retirement in 1996.  She was a lifelong member of Sts. Peter and Paul Church, Ansonia.  Cookie was well known for her pierogi and bread making skills whether home or with her church-squad (Mrs. Marilyn Michel, Mr. and Mrs. Mary Ellen and Richard Koalchic, Mr. and Mrs. Kay and Peter Pozucek, and many others). Mrs. Gayda is survived by her devoted sons, Kevin Gayda of FL, Mark (Laura) Gayda of Seymour; cherished grandchildren, Stephanie (Riche) Gayda Agulto of Lakewood, CA, Jonathan Gayda and Sara Gayda both of Seymour; great grandson, Aiden Agulto; and numerous nieces and nephews.  In addition to her husband of 46 years, she was predeceased by sisters, Mary Uskevich and Stella Brenia.  A Divine Liturgy, MEETING DIRECTLY AT CHURCH, will be celebrated on Saturday, March 26, 2022 at 12:00 PM in Sts. Peter and Paul Church, 105 Clifton Avenue, Ansonia.  Interment will follow in Sts. Peter and Paul Cemetery, Derby.  Memorial contributions may be mailed to Save the Children, 501 Kings Highway East, Suite 400, Fairfield, CT 06825 or online at www.savethechildren.org/us/where-we-work/ukraine. The Wakelee Memorial Funeral Home, 167 Wakelee Ave., Ansonia, is in care of arrangements.  Online condolences may be made at www.wakleememorial.com.