Obituary: Dianne E. Doyle Puzycki, 89, of East Haven

Obituary courtesy of Porto Funeral Home:

Dianne E. Doyle Puzycki of East Haven, passed away on Friday, November 3, 2023. She is predeceased by her loving husband of more than 53 years, Stanley Puzycki. Dianne was the loving mother of five sons: Paul (Jane Holt) of Wallingford, Ted (predeceased by his wife, Denise) of North Branford, Greg (Deborah Rizzo) of East Haven, John (Susan) of North Haven, and Brian (Christa) of Raleigh, NC. She is survived by her sisters Mary Feniolo, Marilyn Ponzio, and Sr. Carole Hermann, and predeceased by her brothers Edward Doyle and Kenneth Hermann. She was also the grandmother of 13 grandchildren, and 15 great-grandchildren, all of whom she adored tremendously.

Dianne was a dedicated Hospice nurse for 45 years until her retirement in 2018 at the young age of 85, working nights as she spent her days raising her boys which often involved car rides to and from sports practices and games, turning a blind eye to mysterious pets that turned up (including once a raccoon, a goat she insisted must be returned, and a bird that couldn’t fly), putting dinner on the table, and so much more.

As a pioneer of the Connecticut Hospice, Dianne worked tirelessly to bring care and dignity to the dying and their families, working to change the national standard of healthcare for the terminally ill. She spoke often of her experiences as a young Hospice nurse, the many fond friendships she formed thanks to her work, and has been recognized many times by Hospice for her founding work and was recently celebrated at their 50th anniversary in September.

Dianne was vibrant and young at heart; she rarely passed on the opportunity to go somewhere new or go out on the town with her many lifelong friends and enjoy a glass of wine or her signature Southern Comfort Manhattan (on the rocks, dry vermouth, two cherries). She loved her evenings out to the Irish Club or Owenego, and looked forward to those beautiful Connecticut summers where could go for a swim in the pool or sit out by the beach. She relished the memories of her childhood growing up in Morris Cove, where she could walk out her front door and play by the Long Island Sound all day long.

She loved books and never stopped reading, was a good and devout Irish Catholic, accepting of everyone regardless of who they were, and the most selfless person you could ever meet—she always gave more than she had and would not rest until she knew that her loved ones were taken care of. She was known for calling her family to share PBS broadcasts or news articles they might enjoy, and always clipped out articles from the Sunday paper to share with her children or grandchildren. She will be missed tremendously by all who had the privilege to know her, and her legacy will live on in the family she made with her beloved husband; we take comfort in knowing that she has been reunited with all those who have gone before her. “May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face; the rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand.”

Her funeral procession will leave the PORTO FUNERAL HOME, 243 Foxon Rd. (Rte 80), East Haven Friday morning at 10:30. Mass of Christian Burial in the St. Pio of Pietrelcina Parish at Our Lady of Pompeii Church at 11:00. Burial will follow in All Saints Cemetery. Friends may call THURSDAY from 4:00-8:00 pm. Memorial contributions may be made to the CT Hospice, 100 Double Beach Rd., Branford, CT 06405 or at www.hospice.com.