Obituary: Donna Szymaszek Ribera, 75, of Wallingford

WALLINGFORD, CT - (From Wallingford Funeral Home) Donna Szymaszek Ribera, 75, of Wallingford, died June 24, 2022 at MidState Medical Center. She was the beloved wife of John Ribera.

Donna was born in New Haven at the Hospital of St. Raphael, June 24, 1947, a daughter of the late Raymond V. and Rachel (Pranzettelli) Szymaszek. Donna attended Southern Connecticut State College, where she majored in early childhood education, teaching art for the Student Learning Center. Later, she became a sales associate for G. Fox, Filenes, as well as Macy's for over 30 years.

She was a lifelong resident of Wallingford and was proud to live in the town where she grew up. She was an avid gardener, having learned her talents from her parents who both had green thumbs as big as the gardens they grew.

Donna grew the most delicious beefsteak tomatoes, learning as a child, how to skillfully preserve them with her mother and Aunts. Donna was a consummate artist; she handcrafted, among many things, Victorian-inspired cards, which she lovingly sent to family and friends.

She created beautiful floral wreaths that she faithfully displayed for every single season.

Among her most cherished works of art were the paintings, drawings, and other crafts that she created with her grandchildren. Perhaps her single most important accomplishment were her Italian meatballs, that she would fry in her cast iron skillet.

Daughter Charlene would eat them faster than she could fry them and were granddaughter Liliana’s favorite food. Recently, along with her best friend and ‘baby’ cousin, she had been researching her ancestry, as well as writing her life story.

In addition to her husband John, she is survived by her daughter, Charlene Ribera-Pepin and son-in-law, Thomas Pepin; her precious twin grandchildren, Chase and Liliana, whom she loved with all her heart; niece Ashley Ribera and family; as well as many cousins and family whom she adored.

Her family will receive relatives and friends in The Wallingford Funeral Home, 809 N. Main St. Ext., on Tuesday, July 5th from 4 to 7 pm. Out of respect for the family, masks are required at the visitation.

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Wednesday at 10 am directly at Most Holy Trinity Church, 84 N. Colony St., Wallingford. Interment will be private. Gifts in her memory may be sent to Heifer International (https://www.heifer.org/give/giving-in-honor.html).