Mary D. Plaskonos

Mary D. Plaskonos, of Hamden, passed away on February 24 after a brief illness at the age of 94. She was born in Hartford, CT May 14, 1922, the only child of the late Andrew and Anna Danyluk, immigrants of Ukraine. She graduated from the Teacher's College of Connecticut (now Central Connecticut State University). She leaves behind three children whom she cherished dearly: Andrea Woodhead (Jerold), Natalie Plaskonos (Rychard Zak), and Theodore Plaskonos, who tended to her needs since 2012. She also leaves behind four grandchildren, Gregory and Elena Woodhead, and Laryssa and Matthew Zak; and one great-granddaughter, Laurence Woodhead. She is also survived by a cousin, Olga York, and her sons John and Stephen. Mrs. Plaskonos was dedicated to teaching. First, she taught in the Hartford Public Schools for three years. From 1962-1964 she taught first and second grades in the Hamden school system, most of those years at Putnam Avenue School. She was a member of Pi Chapter, Delta Kappa Gamma (Teachers' Honorary Society). Mrs. Plaskonos was Secretary and President of the Immaculate Conception Society of St. Michael's Ukrainian Catholic Church, New Haven. She was active in the Ukrainian Heritage Center and in the League of Ukrainian Catholics. She was chairperson of the Crafts Committee of the New Haven Woman's Club and was named Woman of the Year for her contributions in crafts. Mrs. Plaskonos was a chairman of the Hamden Arts Commission and was honored with the Hamden Notable Award (1988). Visitation hours are at Beecher & Bennett Funeral Home, 2300 Whitney Ave., Hamden on Friday, March 3 from 4-7 PM, with Panachyda at 6 PM. Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, March 4 at 10 AM at St. Michael's Ukrainian Catholic Church, 569 George St., New Haven. Burial will follow at St. Michael's Ukrainian Catholic Cemetery, Glastonbury, CT. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Michael's Ukrainian Catholic Church, 569 George St., New Haven, CT 06511 or to VNA Community Healthcare, 2319 Whitney Ave., Hamden, CT 06518.