Darienite (https://darienite.com/tag/darien-obituary-2025)
Debera Barnes passed away peacefully on Oct. 18, 2025. She was 86. Born on June 1, 1939, in Orange, New Jersey, she was the daughter of the late Jane Estep Van Houten and Raymond Burgess Van Houten. Debera graduated from Darien High School and Stephens College.
Raymond Joseph Betz, born in Stamford, a graduate of Stamford High School and a resident for 77 years, passed away peacefully on Friday Oct. 3. He was 85. Born on Dec. 25, 1939, he was the son of the late John Raymond Betz and Vera (Mishley) Betz.
It is with deep love and sorrow that we announce the passing of Anita Collins, who entered into eternal rest on Oct. 10, at the age of 80. Anita, daughter of Dolly and Jack Neus, was a devoted mother and friend whose kindness, faith, and gentle spirit touched all who knew her. She will be lovingly remembered by her sons, John Collins and his wife Sarah, and Kevin Collins and his wife Lesley. Anita was predeceased by her daughter Eileen Collins. Anita’s warmth, wisdom, and unwavering love will forever live on in the hearts of her family and friends.
Julie Cook Chamberlin of Darien unexpectedly passed away on Tuesday morning, Oct. 21. She was 78. Julie was born on Oct. 23, 1946 in Hartford to Victor and Elizabeth Cook.
Nicholas William Cardell, of Stratford, CT, passed away on Oct. 8, 2025, at his home surrounded by his family. Nick was 92 years old. He was the loving husband of Marion S. Cardell, who predeceased him on Sept. 8, 2024.
Our beloved Andrew T. Kostanecki passed away with his wife, Sheila, by his side on Aug. 31 at their home in Vero Beach, Florida. He was 91. Born in Warsaw on Jan. 25, 1934 to an American mother, Dorothy Adams Kostanecki, and a Polish father, John Telesfor Kostanecki, Andy’s early years were shaped by adversity during the difficult pre-war times in Poland and the death of his father in a plane crash.
Robert Beachem Kling died Sept. 16, 2025 at home in Darien, with his family at his side. He was 94 years old. Born Nov. 12, 1930 in New York City, he grew up in Darien, attending Darien elementary and middle schools, followed by three years at the Westminster School in Simsbury, Connecticut.
Rose DeNicola Rodriguez, affectionately known as “Cracklin’ Rosie,” passed away peacefully on Oct. 14 at the age of 101. Born on the evening of July 4, 1924, in Brooklyn, New York, to Vincenza and Francisco DeNicola, Rose came into the world with fireworks in the sky — a fitting beginning for a woman whose spirit was bright, bold, and unforgettable. Rose was one of 14 siblings and grew up surrounded by family, spirited conversation, and the lively rhythm of Brooklyn life. She spent nearly her entire life there, building a life filled with warmth, music, and energy that drew people in.
David Andrew Dever, 83, a Darien resident for 52 years, passed away peacefully at home on Oct. 8. “Whoever dies with the most tools wins” was more than just a motto for David — it was a way of life. A lifelong tinkerer and fixer, he found joy in restoring anything that could be mended, from engines to household gadgets long past their prime. Whether in his garage or his beloved barn in Maine, David was happiest with a wrench in hand and a project to work on.
Michael Robert Taylor, affectionately known as “Tay Tay” of Darien, passed away suddenly on Oct. 8. He was 57. Mike was born on June 5, 1968, in Stamford to Michael and Barbara Taylor. He attended Royle Elementary School, Middlesex Junior High, and Darien High School (class of ’86), where he met his future wife, Lisa DeYulio.
Dolores L. Vollenweider, 95, a resident at Wilton Meadows and a former longtime resident of Darien, died peacefully on Tuesday, Oct. 7 after a long illness. She was 95. Born May 31, 1930 in Coppersburg, Pennsylvania, she was the daughter of Frances and Ralph Skagen.
Dolores graduated from Darien High School. She was a homemaker and a mother of three.
Christopher Mark Smith of Youngsville, North Carolina, passed peacefully on Sept. 21, 2025. He was 67. Chris was born July 21, 1958 in Paterson, New Jersey to Barbara and Donald Smith. He was a 1976 graduate of Darien High School and received a Bachelor of Science degree in engineering technology at Clemson University, class of 1980.
On Sunday June 15, William Henry Darrow II, loving husband and father of two, passed away at the age of 78. Bill was born on May 30, 1947, in the Bronx, New York to the late William Lawrence Darrow and Martha Beatrice D’Amore. Bill was the oldest of four children. He was raised in New Rochelle, New York. After grade school at Holy Family, he attended Archbishop Stepinac High School in White Plains, where he played football and was varsity captain in his senior year.
Peter Rient, a former Watergate prosecutor, and architect of the U.S. Justice Department’s Principles of Federal Prosecution, died in Darien on Sept. 2 at the age of 87. The cause of death was heart disease. Peter Frank Rient was born on March 17, 1938 in Moscow. His mother, Gertrude Rient Gangadharan, was a Czech linguist employed by the U.S. embassy there.
Amy Jane Rupp (née Schroeder), 70, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family, on Thursday morning, Sept. 4, 2025 in Jackson, Wyoming. Amy is survived by her devoted husband, Robert (Bob), her three children, Robert (Stacey Blanchard), Brian and Genevieve, and her two granddaughters, Amy and Natalie. Born Feb. 15, 1955, Amy grew up in Garden City, New York, graduating in 1973 from Garden City High School, where she was an honor roll student and cheerleading captain.