Mrs. Nell Papeika
Nell Joan Papeika,95, beloved wife of 70 years to the late John 'Jack' Papeika, passed away on April 28, 2014 at the CT Hospice in Branford. She was born in Pennsylvania on May 30, 1918 to the late Michael and Mary Benevich Lekas. She leaves behind her devoted daughters, Janice Thibodeau & her partner Carmen Vance of Columbia and Lynne Langella & her husband Donald of Branford. She is also survived by her sister Lillian Vishno & her husband Robert of Sag Harbor, NY; granddaughters, Dana Dunnack & her husband Peter of Lebanon and Gillian Meyer & her husband Michael of Charleston, SC; great-grandchildren, Olivia, Grace, Matt & Drew Dunnack and Jack Meyer and many nieces and nephews. Pre-deceased by her brother Val Lekas & his wife Lillian. Nell lived most of her adult life in Hamden and moved to White Oaks in Manchester in 2011 after Jack passed away. She loved her new home at White Oaks and made special friends there. She was a graduate of Stone Business College in New Haven and worked in several companies, most recently High Meadows, as a bookkeeper. Nell enjoyed life, learning new things, meeting new people and playing games. She loved pinochle and was an expert bridge player. Most of all she loved children, family holidays and outings and pontoon boat rides on Columbia Lake. Friends may visit with Nell's family on Friday, May 2nd from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m. at BEECHER & BENNETT, 2300 Whitney Ave. prior to her Mass of Christian Burial in Blessed Sacrament Church, Hamden, at 11:00 a.m. Burial will follow in St. Lawrence Cemetery. The family wishes to thank Dr. Ken Dardick and CT Hospice, particularly caregiver Suzanne, for their kind and concerned care during her illness and Dr. Peter Huvelle for his care for many years prior to her move. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Nell's memory may be sent to CT Hospice, 100 Double Beach Rd, Branford, CT 06405.
Jan and family, we send you our prayers and sympathy for your loss. Thank God for memories!!!!!!!!!!!!
Janice, Lynne and Family: Please accept our deepest sympathy for your loss of Nell. She was such a wonderful lady and best friend of my mother, Mildred. Mildred was so very sad she could not be at White Oaks to say goodbye when Nell left on Sunday. Mildred is now at Vernon Manor. She asked me to tell you that she knows you will understand that she is still unable to be at the services on Friday. When she learned of Nell’s passing she said she .hopes to be with her again soon.. It was so great that these two wonderful ladies found each other. Again, all our sympathy to you and your family and thank you for all your kindnesses to our mother.
Lynne, Jan and family, With sympathy for your loss, especially at Mothers Day. I will always remember Nell as such a gracious lady and one who showed many kindnesses to me as a young girl so many years ago. You are fortunate to have had her in your lives.
Lynne, Jan, and family- We are so sorry for your loss. Auntie Nell was a wonderful lady. Her kindness and joyfulness will be remembered and live on through all of you. With love, Megan, George, Juliana and Aria Porto
The Langella’s in Atlanta, GA and Los Angeles, CA send their condolences to Lynne, Jan and their families at the passing of Mrs. Papeika who was an inspiration and positive influence to everyone whose life she touched. My lasting memory of Mrs. Papeika was that she always made me feel well-liked! How many people can we say that about? What a gift she had to be able to do that! Our special prayers go out to our fantastic cousins Dana and Gillian for the loss of their Grandmother who so loved them and served as a great mentor and role model to them. We wish we could be there in Hamden with you to celebrate Mrs. Papeika’s life! What a great sight it would be to see her life’s work and legacy gathered in her honor! We know that you all will reminisce the great times that were spent with your Mom, Grandmother and Great Grandmother. We hope that those memories will serve to ease your grief, remind you of the meaning of a life well-lived and help to set a course for your futures. You will be in our thoughts and prayers tomorrow and we look forward to seeing you all soon. With our love and great respect, Michael, Jill, Caroline, Grace and Molly Langella