Maria K. Meunier

Maria K. Meunier, 93, of Ansonia, formerly of Milford, passed away peacefully and comfortably with loved ones at her side on March 21, 2020, the first full day of spring, her favorite season. The second child of Anna and John Kanca, she was born in Czechoslovakia on August 24, 1926. Shortly afterwards the family returned to the U.S., settling first in New York and later moving to Connecticut, where she resided for nearly 8 decades. In 1965, she met and married Joseph Meunier and thus began a happy and peaceful union lasting more than 40 years. The only dark cloud was the loss of their infant son, John Joseph, in 1966. She is survived by sons Walter Hamilton of Ansonia; Gregory (Kathy Edwards) Virostko of La Mesa, CA; a dear friend and “adopted” son, Anthony Olire; 2 granddaughters: Tania (Eric) Grgurich of No. Guilford; Melissa (Fiance Stephen Marotto) Virostko of Branford; 4 great-grandchildren: Colin Blyth; Mackenzie Warmuth; Cameron Grgurich; and Kylie Grgurich; and a sister, Ann Fedorko of PA; and sister-in-law Betty Kanca of NH; all cherished and much loved along with countless friends and acquaintances cultivated over the years. She was the light in the room; the best friend you always wished for; the warm, caring, loving and fiercely protective matriarch of the family. She made certain that every day of her life had 30 hours in it. She managed to find time for everyone and everything that mattered. She was generous to a fault. Retiring early after nearly 40 years at Sikorsky Aircraft, she cared for her parents and brother. Somehow she still found time for countless activities including sewing, knitting, crocheting, needlepoint, cross-stitch, gardening, dancing, traveling, cooking and baking and a myriad of other passions. She excelled at all of this and more. She was an active member of the Milford Senior Center where she made new friends while singing in the chorus and tap dancing. Half-jokingly, it was said that if presented with 4000 lbs of steel wool, she could knit you a car. Yet she still found time to be a voracious reader, devouring a book a week for years. And she found time to crochet hundreds of baby blankets for donation to Yale New Haven and Griffin Hospitals at Christmastime. She lived a full, rich, selfless life. She was wealthy in all things that mattered and had everything she ever wanted, except for “tomorrow’. As long as can be remembered, she always said she wanted her flowers while she was breathing and could see, smell and enjoy them. Not when she died. She got those flowers every week for years and they never failed to bring her happiness and put a smile on her face. They were always the promise of yet another spring. Covid is the unwanted guest that hasn’t left yet, relentlessly intruding and disrupting our lives, thus leaving normal rituals of life and death thrown into unwanted chaos, with no set rules or guidelines. So, with that said, at some future date a memorial mass will be held followed by a gathering of family and friends. If so inclined, in lieu of flowers, please honor her memory with a donation to Connecticut Hospice, 100 Double Beach Rd., Branford 06405 and/or Milford Public Library, 57 New Haven Ave., Milford 06460. Maria felt that modern technology was having a somewhat detrimental effect on social etiquette and eroding manners. Therefore, there will be no on-line condolences, no zooming of services or whatever. She would rather you took the time to be with your loved ones and create some memories. Burial was private and held for immediate family only, with arrangements made by Cody-White Funeral Home of Milford. Her final wishes were carried out as she requested, the only time she ever asked for anything. NOTE to Mom: you left behind your shoes and they’re too big to be filled by anyone else. You’ll always be with us in our hearts.   

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