Obituary: Elizabeth J. (Pendagast) Janusz, 82, of Wallingford

WALLINGFORD, CT - (From Wallingford Funeral Home) Elizabeth “Betty” J. (Pendagast) Janusz, 82, of Wallingford, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Thursday, January 20, 2022 at her home.

She joins the love of her life, the late Zdzislaw “Ziggy” Janusz, in eternal rest where they can do their favorite Polka dancing while enjoying a bottle or 5 of “Poppy’s” favorite Heineken Beer or Spirits.

Betty was born in Bridgeport, CT on December 30,1939, a daughter of the late Raymond D. and Margaret (Poklemba) Pendagast. She was predeceased by her brother Raymond Pendagast, her sister Margerie (Pendagast) Ryback, and her loving daughter Dawn (Fillion) Pivola.

During her life, Betty had worked as a dental assistant, a housekeeper at the Hilton Garden Inn in Shelton, and an associate at Alexander's Department store, Read’s Department Store, and Jordan Marsh. She was especially proud of the loving care she gave to her elderly patients as a nurse’s aide at Gardner Heights in Shelton and Derby Nursing home.

Elizabeth had a heart of gold and was well loved by all who had the pleasure of knowing her. She offered all of her love and anything and everything she had to those around her. She was fiercely protective and a “force to be reckoned with” of her family and those dear to her.

Her most treasured role was as a grandmother, in which she was lovingly known as “Nanny” or “Nana-Boo-Boo” to Melanie C. Glaser (Tyler DeVaux) of Wethersfield, Douglas J. Glaser (Jessica Boe) of Wallingford, her “baby boy” Anthony “AJ” Ross of North Haven, and Daniel Pivola III of Shelton.

Nanny fought through all pain– and never complained- that came with her age to provide her grandchildren with wonderful memories that she cherished greatly. Nanny always “joined in on the fun” and could often be found driving around with AJ and his friends on their many adventures or hanging out with “the boys” at the house– she was everyone’s Nanny.

She loved getting coffee and having doctor’s office and shopping dates with Melanie, cooking chili for Doug, and fuzzing her “grand-dogs” until her arm “felt like it would fall off”.

Although she was always expected to be “fashionably late”, she was present at every holiday, birthday, and major event in her family member’s lives.

She also enjoyed tending to her garden with Poppy at their home and cooking. Nanny was famous for “turning an old boot” into a wonderful meal and was well known throughout the family for her amazing clam chowder.

Elizabeth is also survived by her “baby brother” whom she adored, Thomas Pendagast of Stratford. Her beloved children, John (Patty) Antonelli of West Haven, Margaretann Antonelli of Ansonia and Tina (Fillion) (Glaser) Ross of North Haven, her sisters-in-law Kathleen Pendagast, Betty Greco of Woodbridge and many nieces and nephews to whom she was “Antie Bet”.

Elizabeth’s family will receive relatives and friends on Saturday, February 5th from 1-3 pm at The Wallingford Funeral Home, 809 N. Main St. Ext. Wallingford, CT. A funeral service will be held in the funeral home at 3pm. Interment will be private.

Gifts in her memory may be made to St. Jude Children's Hospital, P.O. Box 50 Memphis, TN 38101-9929, The Wounded Warrior Project (in honor of her baby brother Tom), or any local Animal Shelter/Rescue of choice.