Darien Obituaries 2024
Richard Ludemann obit obituary

Richard Ludemann, 71, Darien YMCA Swim Coach in the 1970s, Regularly Finished a Book a Day

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Richard M. Ludemann of Bridgeport died Jan. 7, 2024 following a courageous battle with cancer. He was 71. Born June 23, 1952 in Queens, New York, to Herbert and Mary (Widmeyer) Ludemann, he was a beloved father, grandfather, brother, son and friend, as well as an influential mentor and swim coach to countless athletes in Connecticut and beyond. Fondly known by many as “Doc,” he began swimming competitively at age 13 and attended Martin Van Buren High School in Queens before going to Fulton-Montgomery College in Johnstown, New York.

Darien Obituaries 2024
Judith Kessel obit obituary

Judith Kessel, 82, First Grade Teacher in Darien, Avid Reader, Quilter, Player of Games, Card Games, Pianos

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Judith Whitacre Kessel died peacefully on Jan. 10, 2024, with her family by her side. Judy was born on April 6, 1941 in Chicago. She had a passion for education; after attending Purdue University and earning her master’s degree from Sacred Heart University, Judy taught first grade in Darien for 30 years. Judy was a lifelong learner, avid reader, accomplished quilter, piano player, card player, consistent Scrabble and Rummikub winner, and an OG lake girl having grown up on Lake Geneva, Wisconsin and living in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire on Lake Winnipesaukee.

Darien Obituaries 2024
Judith Patla obit obituary

Judith Patla, 84, U.S. Army Nurse in Vietnam, Animal Lover, Never Too Hurried to Stop for a Conversation

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Judith Ann “Judy” Patla, 84, of Arab, Alabama unexpectedly went to be with the Lord from complications during surgery on Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024. Born in Darien on Dec. 10, 1939, Judy was blessed to have many roles in life, to include being a loving wife, an adoring mother, an excitable grandmother, a firecracker sister, a caring daughter, and a dependable friend. She spent most of her childhood in Connecticut, where she enjoyed many adventures with her youthful friends as a self-proclaimed “tomboy” and “leader of the pack.” As she grew into adulthood, she had a strong desire to serve her country, but to also pay for her education, so she chose to serve as a U.S. Army nurse.

Darien Obituaries 2024
Linda Sonnenblick

Linda Sonnenblick, 89, Enjoyed Travel, Sailing, Cooking and Gardening

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Linda Bland Sonnenblick, 89, died peacefully at the home she shared with her beloved, long-term partner, Henry M. Zachs, in Farmington. She is the widow of the late, distinguished cardiologist and physician scientist Edmund H. Sonnenblick, to whom she was married for 53 years. She was born in Hartford to the late Chester and Shirley Bland and spent most of her life in West Hartford, Darien, and Farmington. Linda was a graduate of The Oxford School and Boston University and an active member of the Noroton Yacht Club, The New York Yacht Club, The Town and County Club, and the Tumblebrook Country Club. She was a longtime supporter of The Wadsworth Atheneum, The Long Wharf Theatre and Wesleyan University.

Darien Obituaries 2024
Theresa Chiappetta

Theresa Benedetto Chiappetta, 80, DHS Class of ’61, Loved Animals, Baking, Holiday Get-Togethers

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Theresa “Terry” (Benedetto) Chiappetta, 80, of Durham passed away peacefully on Monday, Dec. 25, 2023 with family and friends by her side. Born in Norwalk and raised in Darien,  she treasured her childhood growing up on the family farm. Terry was the daughter of the late Anthony “Ben” Benedetto and Mary (Cerulli) Benedetto. She was predeceased by her twin sister Marie Grace.

Darien Obituaries 2023
Doris O'Brien obit

Doris O’Brien, 99, Administrative Assistant, Accomplished Bowler, Enjoyed Golf

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Doris (Finley) O’Brien, 99, of Killingworth, formerly of Darien, beloved wife for 67 years of the late Morris (Obie) O’Brien, passed away peacefully on Jan. 5, 2024. Born in Stamford on Dec. 15, 1924, she was the daughter of the late James and Bessie (McCaffrey) Finley and sister to the late James Finley. Doris graduated from Stamford High School and the Katherine Gibbs Secretarial School.

Darien Obituaries 2023
Don Ainsworth obituary

Don Ainsworth, 90, Ran a Consulting Firm, Active in Church, Loved Travel, Wine Collecting

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Don Pearson Ainsworth, 90, died in Fredericksburg, Virginia, on Dec. 13, after battling Alzheimer’s disease for several years. He leaves a legacy as a devout Christian with a strong work ethic and passion for lifelong learning and serving others. Don was born in Chicago to Francis and LeMoise Pearson Ainsworth on May 29, 1933, and grew up in Geneva, Illinois and other upper Midwestern cities. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Cincinnati, where he met Martena (Marti) Louise Parker Ainsworth.

Darien Obituaries 2023
Jeffrey Tauber obituary

Jeffrey Tauber, Finance Executive, Marathon Runner, Loved Sailing, Cigars, Travel

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It is with deep sadness we announce the passing of Jeffrey Michael Tauber from complications from Alzheimer’s. He was 78. Jeff moved quite a bit as a child, as his father worked for IBM. They eventually settled in New Canaan, and Jeff attended Fairfield Prep. He was a track athlete and this love of running lead to decades of marathons all over the United States and Europe, totaling over 30 races. During high school he delivered newspapers on weekends from the back seat of his VW Bug — the same car he brought with him to Boston College, where he graduated in 1966 with a B.S. in Finance and was a member of the ROTC.