Valeria Havrila

Val Havrila, also known as Valeria, Vully, and Vulika, of Ashford, died on March 11, 2014 after suffering a long and painful illness. Visiting hours are at the Potter Funeral Home, 456 Jackson St, Willimantic, CT on Friday, March 14th from 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm. Her funeral service will be at Saint Philip-Apostle Church, Ashford CT on Saturday, March 15th at 10:00 am. Her burial will follow immediately in the Woodward Cemetery, Ashford CT. Val was born to Andrew and Esther Horila, and she grew up in Ashford. She is survived by her brothers and their (spouses); Andrew (Frances) Horila and Allen (Michelle) Horila and her children and their (spouses); Robert (Chea), Valerie (Dominic), Cindy (Tom), Esther (John), George III (Lisa), Robbie (Kathy), Michelle, Stephanie (John), and Mary; 15 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren. She leaves behind her dear friend, companion, and fiancAC., Steve Karosi. She was predeceased by her husband George Lovell II, in 1988 and a sister Marion Havrila, in April 1947.She was a member of the Warrenville Baptist Church and was an active member of several organizations. She was head of the Ladies Aid, initiated a "Summer Reading Program", she was a member of the Ashford Garden Club, the Willimantic Numismatic Club, and the Hungarian Social Club. She was actively involved in charity work and participated in fundraisers for Paul Newman's Hole in the Wall Gang Camp, donating her pontoon boat (Noah's Ark) to the camp for the children's enjoyment. Val was an entrepreneurial businesswoman. From the early age of 11, she already had a lucrative business supplying gladiolus to local florists. She owned several businesses: the Midway Restaurant (Ashford), Teddy Bears Curls (Putnam), a small diner in Putnam, and her most recent business, Val's Plant Stand & Farm (Ashford). Her love for nature, her gardens, and her handiwork all spoke to the beauty that she saw in nature. Her interests included music and singing, gardening, building stonewalls, needlework, reading, traveling, and making new friends. She had her own greenhouse, vegetable garden, orchard, and vineyards where she grew most of her own food. She heated her home by wood; she was eco-friendly and appreciated living off the land. She enjoyed traveling across the USA, and she visited Europe several times: Hungary and neighboring European countries. She also visited New Zealand, Hawaii, Bahamas, Mexico, and Canada (NS and PEI). Her collections of books, coins, glasswork, marbles, fishing lures, stamps, and dolls showed the uniqueness of her character and the broad spectrum of her interests. She had a kind heart and was always willing to lend a helping hand. She was an avid entertainer, loved to open her home for holiday parties and special events: and she always enjoyed spending time with family and friends. She devoted much of her time and energy as a caregiver and guardian to family members, including her mother, Esther Horila, until she passed away in 1989. Donations may be made in Val's memory to the United Baptist Church or the Saint Philip-Apostle Church, both are located in Ashford. Please visit www.potterfuneralhome.com for online memorial guest book.