Obituary: Mary Grace (Wright) Kranyak, 79, of Stratford

STRATFORD, CT - (From Dennis & D'Arcy Funeral Home) Mary Grace (Wright) Kranyak, 79, of Stratford, passed away on July 22, 2021 after a courageous battle with cancer.

Mary was born on April 3, 1942 in Lynn, MA to Frank and Virginia Wright. Mary grew up in Lynn and Groveland, MA, and often spoke fondly of her childhood, in particular her years attending the one room school house in Groveland; The North School.

After graduating from Pentucket Regional High School in West Newbury, MA and Freyburg Academy in Freyburg, ME, Mary moved on to Framingham State College in Framingham, MA, obtaining degrees in both Dietetics and Education.

She completed an internship for her Dietetics degree at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, MA.

In 1967, Mary left her home state and moved to the Bridgeport, CT area. She worked as a Registered Dietitian at Bridgeport Hospital and Yale New Haven Hospital, and was also a Home Economics Teacher at Pumpkin Delight School in Milford, CT.

In 1969, she met Michael Kranyak, and they wed on February 13, 1971. Mary and Mike spent the next 10 years enjoying married life and traveled around the country prior to the birth of their daughter Connie Beth in 1981.

While being a loving wife and mother, Mary continued to work in the field of Dietetics. She worked at Park City Hospital and Hall Brooke Behavioral Health, as well as for the Senior Nutrition Programs for Catholic Charities, Salvation Army, then finally CW Resources.

Mary loved planning the lunch menus for local senior centers, especially providing education programs for the participants, which she called her “Road Show”.

Mary’s passion for nutrition and the elderly made her immensely happy, so much so that she never “worked” a day in all of her career.

Mary was an active member of the Stratford United Methodist Church, serving on several committees throughout the years as well as teaching Sunday School.

Mary was a long time Avon Lady, was a member of the President’s Club multiple times over, and made lifelong friends with fellow Avon Ladies and loyal customers.

She was an enthusiastic fan of her hometown team, the Boston Red Sox, as well as the UCONN Women’s Basketball Team.

Mary was predeceased by her parents Frank and Virginia and brother in law Chet Barnick.

She is survived by her husband Mike of over 50 years, daughters Connie Demko (Jimmy) of Shelton, CT and Lisa Morris (Andre) of Salem, NH. She was the proud Mimi to James and Michael Demko.

Mary is also survived by brothers Frank Wright of Cape Neddick, ME and Tim Wright of Groveland, MA, as well as brothers and sisters in law Charles Kranyak (Beverly), Nancy Barnick, Jim Kranyak, all of Milford, CT, and Jack Kranyak of New Haven, CT.

She is also survived by several nieces, nephews and cousins, as well as many dear friends (near and far), neighbors, and co-workers.

Her lap will be missed by her beloved cat Shadow and her grand dogs Newman and Indy.

The family would like to thank Mary’s Home Hospice nurses Erica and Monique from Vitas, Jessica and Audrey from Constellation, as well as for the exceptional care she received at the Vitas Inpatient Hospice Unit at St. Mary’s Hospital in her final days.

Family and friends are invited to greet the family at Stratford United Methodist Church, 2600 Main St. Stratford, CT on Saturday, July 31, 2021 starting at 9:30 a.m., followed by a Celebration of Mary’s Life on at 11 a.m.

For those attending the service it is requested that masks be worn. Burial will take place at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Milford, CT at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mary’s memory to the Stratford United Methodist Church Memorial Fund, or to the Bridgeport Hospital Foundation.