Philomena Hunyadi's Obituary
Philomena Hunyadi, 87, of Willington, CT, who loved her family, playing bridge, and the country she lived in, died Sunday, June 8, 2008 at her daughter's home in Vernon, CT. She was born in Baltimore, MD, to James and Philomena Reinhardt Hughes and grew up in Richmond, VA. Her parents died young, but Philomena and her five brothers and sisters stayed together. During World War II, her brother Harry went through Marine Corps officer candidate school with Alfred Hunyadi of Bridgeport, CT. He introduced them and at war's end Alfred and Philomena were married. They were together for 52 years. She lived in Willington for nearly 50 years, raised a family, and retired after 25 years from the University of Connecticut, where she worked in the Admissions Office and later for the Board of Trustees. She had a strong set of ideals and beliefs that put her family first. She was practical, energetic and loving. Mrs. Hunyadi had a fine sense of humor, but she had a hard time telling a joke because she would start laughing before the punch line. She followed politics the way many follow sports. Her favorite team was the Democrats. She was a member of St. Jude Parish, Corporal Henry Toberman Post No. 938 V.F.W. of the Willington Ladies Auxiliary, the Anne Wood Elderkin Chapter of the DAR and the Willington Seniors. She held leadership roles in each of these organizations. Mrs. Hunyadi was predeceased by her husband, Alfred, her sisters Margaret and Helen and brothers Harry and William. Survivors include three daughters and two sons-in-law: Susan and Leonard Howell, Vernon, CT; Martha and Enrico Testa, Brockton, MA, Ann Hunyadi of Brockton, MA; one son James Hunyadi of Middletown, NY; two granddaughters Kate Chapel of East Hartford, and Rebecca Foran and her husband Peter of Glastonbury; two grandsons, Leonard Howell and his wife Kelly of Enfield, CT, Michael Howell and his wife Cindy of Vernon, CT; and many great grandchildren; one brother Edward Hughes of Lake Kiowa, TX; sister-in-law Ethel Bede of Bridgeport, CT; and many nieces and nephews. Her funeral will be held on Wednesday, June 11, 2008 with a procession forming by 9:30 A.M. at Introvigne Funeral Home, Inc., 51 East Main Street, Stafford Springs, CT, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 A.M. at St. Jude Church, Old Farms Road, Willington, CT. Burial will be held privately at the Connecticut State Veterans Cemetery, Middletown, CT. Calling hours are on Tuesday from 5-8 P.M. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Willington Public Library, 7 Ruby Road, Willington, CT 06279. For online condolences or directions, please visit: www.introvignefuneralhome.com
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