Darienite (https://darienite.com/category/obituaries)
Death notices for Darienites, immediate relatives and others of interest to town residents
Elizabeth F. King (a.k.a. Betty Rae King) of Celebration, Florida died on Jan. 2 at 3:30 p.m. due to a stroke. She was 84 years old. Betty Rae was born in West Hartford, on July 8, 1936. She studied education at Saint Joseph’s College in West Hartford and went on to become an elementary school teacher.
Darien Town Clerk Caryn Lynn Diller, died on Saturday, Nov. 14, at home surrounded by her family. Daughter of the late William Henry Diller and Gertrude Rettig Diller, Caryn was born Jan. 10, 1952 in Stamford. Other then a brief period at her parent’s vacation locale, Caryn was a lifelong Darien resident. After graduating from Skowhegan High School, Caryn attended Ricker College of the Northeast in Houlton, Maine, obtaining a sociology degree.
Terri Marie Brode died peacefully on Oct. 31 at Montefiore Hospital in the Bronx, New York, with her husband, Andrew, at her side, following complications from surgery. Born and raised in Indianapolis, Terri graduated from Roncalli High School in Indianapolis in 1985 and Butler University in 1989 with a degree in accounting. After working for Arthur Anderson for five years and ready for a change, Terri attended Duke University, receiving an MBA in 1995. Her sights set on New York City, Terri accepted a job with JP Morgan, where she would meet her husband and marry in 1997.
Winifred Anne Miekle nee McGuinness (“Wini”), 81, a Twyford, England resident, passed away unexpectedly in Winchester Hospital on Oct. 1. Born May 7, 1939 in Stamford, she attended Stamford High School (Class of 1957), St. Mary’s College of Indiana, and Michigan State University. She taught at Stamford High School and in Darien.
June Craver Penn, 94, passed away peacefully on July 29, at her son’s home in Guilford. She was born on May 5, 1926, the daughter of Bates Bartlett and Isabel Josephine (Dempwolf) Craver of Waterbury. A 1944 graduate of St. Margaret’s School for Girls in Waterbury, June then attended Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts, graduating in 1948. Extensive travel in Europe for 18 months after college led to a job with American Express in New York City for two years.
On Tuesday, May 19, 2020, David J. Driver, Jr., loving husband and devoted father of two children, passed away at the age of 57 from ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis). Dave was born on March 22, 1963 in Quantico, Virginia to David and Jean Driver. He grew up in Darien and Berwyn, Pennsylvania, graduating from Conestoga High School in 1981. Dave received his Bachelor of Science degree from East Carolina University in 1986. He became a successful national account sales manager, working primarily in the food service business for 34 years, based in Philadelphia.
An independent, creative, loving force, Ann Hartman Carter died peacefully in her sleep Oct. 4 at age 96. Born in 1924 in Detroit, her father, Hubert Hartman, was at one time head counsel for Ford Motor Company. Ann spent her childhood summers at Camp Ak-O-Mak, Ahmic Harbour, Ontario where she excelled at diving, sailing, and tennis. She was president of her Delta Alpha Delta Sorority during her high school years, booking dances wth Tommy Dorsey, Glen Miller, Benny Goodman and Louis Armstrong.
Jim Frederick passed away unexpectedly on Oct. 7, 2020, a few days shy of his 60th birthday. James Bradley Frederick of Darien was born Oct. 13, 1960, and grew up in New Britain, the son of Theodore (Ted) Frederick and Joyce (Chase) Frederick. Jim’s parents instilled many values in him which became hallmarks of his life including the satisfaction enjoyed after a hard day’s work, and the loyalty and trust earned from always having a friend’s back.
Arline M. D’Aquila, a longtime resident of Darien, passed away on Tuesday, Oct. 13 in Fairfield. She was 94. Born on March 26, 1926 in Meriden, she was the daughter of the late Rocco and Mary (Petrucelli) D’Apice. Arline was raised in Meriden and graduated from Meriden High School in 1944.
Charles “Charlie” Twardy of Georgetown passed away unexpectedly at Danbury Hospital on Friday, Oct. 9, 2020 at the age of 77.
He was the beloved husband of Terry Satkowsky Twardy. Charlie was born Jan. 25, 1943 in Stamford, the son of the late Charles John Twardy and Helen Cecilia Mahn Twardy. He grew up in Stamford, where he attended Stamford High School before finishing his education at J.M. Wright Technical High School. Following Wright Tech, he entered the optics industry.
Meredith A. Fahey, Hamden CT, died Friday, Sept. 25, 2020, at Yale New Haven Hospital at the age of 73. Meredith was born to Bartley and Marienne Fahey in Stamford, the second of five children, and was lucky to be not only surrounded by her loving immediate family , but also to grow up in close proximity to a large, fun-loving family of grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and many dear friends. Meredith graduated from Darien High School and earned a B.A. degree from the College of Notre Dame in Baltimore. She taught English at Darien High School for several years before leaving to start a career in business.
Mary Ellen Hatfield passed away peacefully on Friday, Sept. 25, 2020. She was 98. ME’s great faith shone brightly among all who knew her and she inspired generations throughout her long and blessed life. Born March 4, 1922 in Jackson, Michigan to Mary and Kenneth Ward, ME was raised in Flint, Michigan.
William Franklin Souders, 92, of Darien passed away on Sept. 24, 2020 with his family by his side. William (Bill) was born in Detroit on July 14, 1928, the first-born son of Julia (O’Brien) and Clifford Souders. Bill served with the parachute infantry in the U.S. Army during World War II, joining at the age of 17. He then attended and graduated from Lake Forest College, where he met the love of his life, Barbara Huskey.
Trish, age 87, died peacefully at home with her husband at her side on Sept. 28, 2020. With her boundless energy, inner strength, and compassion Trish brought happiness to so many friends and family members. She had a talent for listening to people and making them feel better. Nothing was too much to do for a friend.
Colonel Vincent P. Surwilo passed away peacefully at home with family by his side on Sept. 27. He was 80. Born in Darien on Sept. 18, 1940, he was the son of the late Edward and Rosemarie Surwilo and was married to his beloved wife, Maggie, for over 55 years.
Albert Lee Scribner, 94, of Arlington, Washington, died on Sept. 21, losing his fight with Alzheimer’s. Albert was born on April 26, 1926 in Stamford, Connecticut, one of 8 children. He lived in Darien and graduated early from high school to enter the Army Air Force to serve his country during World War II. Upon graduation he went to Arnold College in New Haven to earn a teaching degree.