Violet Kissel Kelly, 96, wife of the late William F. Kelly passed away January 26, 2023 at Benchmark of Hamden. She was born in New Haven September 10, 1926, a daughter of the late Kusma and Mary Lapka Kissel, and had resided in North Haven for 48 years before moving to Hamden in 2016. Violet was employed as a customer service representative at the First Bank prior to her retirement, and she was a longtime member of the Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Church of New Haven. She enjoyed her garden, the casino, playing bridge, and having a long-running Scrabble competition with her sister. She was a loving and feisty aunt.
She is survived by her nieces and nephews, William (Ann) Tetmeyer of St. Augustine, FL, Larry (Linda) Kissel of North Haven, Sue (Carl) Jordan of Hamden, Judy (Joe) Mackay of North Haven, Jennifer (Pat) Purcell of Canton, and Wendy Amenta of New Britain, as well as Kelly family nieces and nephews Susan, Nancy, Lisa, Tim, Robert, and Matthew. She is also survived by many great-nieces and nephews. Violet was predeceased by her sister Sonya (Gus) Tetmeyer, brother Larry (Lucy) Kissel, niece Jean (Eugene) Gillen, and great-nephew Peter Gillen. The family appreciates the loving care given to Vi during her stay at Benchmark.
To honor, remember, and say farewell to Violet, her family will welcome friends to join them on Wednesday, Feb. 1st from 9-10 a.m. at the Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Church, 285 Alden Ave., New Haven, followed by a Christian Burial Service at 10 a.m. Interment will follow in Beaverdale Memorial Park. Arrangements in care of BEECHER & BENNETT, 2300 Whitney Ave., Hamden. Contributions in Violet's memory may be made to the Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Church, 285 Alden Ave., New Haven, CT 06515.