Sophie Gaunya

Sophie Swol Gaunya of Windham passed away Monday, May 4, 2015 at the age of 93. She was the devoted wife of 58 years of William S. Gaunya who died in 2005. She is survived by four daughters: Elizabeth Szymczak and her husband Ralph Szymczak Jr. and their children Julia Szymczak and her husband Evan Lerner of Philadelphia and Neil Szymczak and his wife Renae of Sunderland, MD; Dr. Mary Covello and her husband Mike Covello and their children Bill Covello of Attleboro MA and Elyse Covello of Framingham, MA; Nancy Gaunya of Marlborough, NH; Amy Trotochaud and her husband Alan of Storrs and their children Emily Trotochaud of Boston, MA and Marc Trotochaud of Storrs and a great-grandson Dean Szymczak of Sunderland MD. Sophie was born and raised in Willimantic, the daughter of Albert and Anna (Giera) Swol. She was a Registered Nurse, graduating in 1944, from St. Raphael's School of Nursing in New Haven. She served in World War II as a Navy nurse attaining the rank of Ensign and was recommended for the American Theatre and World War II Victory Medals. Her nursing career encompassed work at Windham Hospital, Natchaug Hospital and the Visiting Nurse Association. She was a communicant of St. Thomas Aquinas Chapel in Storrs. A memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, May 11, at Saint Thomas Aquinas Chapel, Storrs 46 North Eagleville Rd. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Sophie's name to Saint Thomas Aquinas Chapel, or a charity of your choice.