Betty Hayes, 97, long-time former resident of Stamford, CT, passed away peacefully in her cherished oceanfront home in Pompano Beach, FL, with close family at her side.
Betty was born to John B. and Maria (Boxhorn) Dietl in Siegenfurt, Germany. She immigrated to the US at age 8 when she rejoined her parents after almost as many years’ separation. Once here, she learned English, attended local schools, obtained her GED, and began work as a telephone operator at SNET. She then worked in the catering business for some years, and later joined the Union Trust Company where she had a successful career, ultimately working as a mortgage officer. After retiring from the bank, she served as a loving and compassionate caregiver for decades more. Betty was an active volunteer, especially at the Stamford YMCA, teaching swimming, cardiac rehab, aerobics, and aqua therapy. She was a longtime parishioner of St. John’s, and later Saint Benedict’s churches.
Betty’s selflessness and dedication to helping everyone she could is perhaps her most striking and unforgettable characteristic. Her willingness to put the needs of others before her own is a powerful reminder of the importance of compassion and empathy. While Betty accomplished much in her life, she also endured a great deal of sorrow, loss, pain. Through it all, she remained loving, forgiving, and strong, always choosing to live in the present and focus on her blessings. She was generous to a fault with all around her, loved spending time with family and friends, and was committed to making sure everyone was always taken care of. Betty also loved fitness and exercise, especially swimming in the ocean. She also relished soaking up sunshine, caring for animals, getting a bargain, and having clean windows and floors. She was adventuresome and retained her youthful spirit, sharp wit, and flexible, open mind until the end.
Betty is survived by her daughter, Diane, brothers John W. (Elizabeth) and Richard, granddaughters Kimberly Larsen and Suzanne Rogers (Steven), great-grandchildren Sienna and Cameron (Rogers), and many nieces and nephews, cousins, and many beloved friends. She was predeceased by her husbands, George W. Bates and James Hayes, sons Robert Bates and Jim Hayes, daughter Susan Larsen, stepdaughter Judy Hayes, and sister, Wilhelmina Polka. Betty leaves a legacy of love and compassion for the many she loved unconditionally, an indelible mark on the lives of all those blessed to know her, and a void as deep as the ocean in the hearts of those who loved her.
A funeral procession will leave the Nicholas F. Cognetta Funeral Home, 104 Myrtle Avenue, Stamford, CT 06902 on Tuesday, April 30, 2024 at 9:30 AM for a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 10:00 AM at Benedict’s R.C. Church, 21 St. Benedict Circle, Stamford, CT. Interment will follow at St. John’s Cemetery, Darien.
Family and friends may call at the funeral home on Monday, April 29, 2024 from 4:00 – 8:00 PM.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Betty’s memory to Covenant House International, 461 Eighth Avenue, NY, NY 10001, https://www.covenanthouse.org
To leave online condolences please visit http://www.cognetta.com

Mary Louise Parenti, 96, a longtime resident of Stamford, passed away peacefully at Norwalk Hospital surrounded by her loving family on Sunday, April 21, 2024. Louise was born on June 2, 1927, in Newark, DE and was one of three children born to the late Reverend Clarence and Sarah Fox.

Louise enjoyed spending time with family and friends (always up for a good game of dominoes or cards). She loved meeting friends at the pool at the Darien YMCA and years later at the pool at the Tully Center. She was active in the First United Methodist Church Women’s Circle and Fellowship Club. Louise enjoyed traveling and reading (including religious books and occasionally indulging in fiction).

Louise worked for Murray Space Shoes in New York, then later helped to form the Parenti Molded Shoe Corp. (located in Norwalk, CT) with her late husband, Anthony. Subsequently, she worked at Pitney Bowes Credit Corporation.

Louise was preceded in death by her husband of over 30 years, Anthony A. Parenti, and is survived by her sons; Anthony J. Parenti and partner Lina Voira and James Parenti and wife Katie Hu, cherished grandchildren; Anthony A. Parenti, John M. Parenti and Mia E. Parenti, brother; James Fox and many nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, Louise is predeceased by her brother, Clarence Fox.

A wake service for Louise will be held from 5PM to 8PM on Thursday, April 25, 2024, at the Nicholas F. Cognetta Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Myrtle Avenue, Stamford, CT. A funeral service for Louise will take place at 11:00AM on Friday, April 26th at First United Methodist Church, 42 Cross Road, Stamford, CT 06905. The interment will follow the service at Fairfield Memorial Park in Stamford.

To leave a condolence message online please visit www.cognetta.com.

John Joseph, 93, a lifelong resident of Stamford, passed away after a brief illness on April 12th at Stamford Hospital. He was born in Stamford on November 28, 1930 to the late Joseph and Constantina D’Amato Giagnorio.

John ran Saxony Wood Products, a custom kitchen and cabinet business in Byram, CT for over 40 years. He served in the Army during the Korean War. In his retirement, he volunteered as an ombudsman for local nursing homes.

He is survived by his children, Jeannie Ruel and her husband, Kenny of CT, John Jr. and his wife Helen of ME, William of NJ, Joseph and his wife Linda of CT, as well as grandchildren and great grandchildren. Also surviving is his friend and companion, Claire Orshalik.
John was predeceased by his loving wife, Janet, a son, James and sister, Lucy Scofield.

A graveside service at St. John’s Cemetery, Darien will be held for close friends and immediate family at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Dorothy (Dottie) Loften, 94, a lifelong resident of Stamford passed away peacefully on Wednesday, April 17, 2024. Dorothy was born in Stamford on March 14, 1930, daughter of the late Charles and Dorothy Wood Greene.

Dottie was a devout Christian who found joy in playing the organ at her church for more than 30 years. In addition to her musical talents, Dottie was an avid gardener and spent countless hours tending to her garden. She also worked for St. Joseph’s Hospital in Stamford for over 20 years. Above all, she deeply loved her family and dedicated her life to caring for those around her. Her warmth and kindness touched the hearts of all who knew her.

Dorothy is survived by her loving grandchildren, Kristina Danehower and her husband Dave of Round Pond, ME. Megan Duffy and her husband, John of Stamford, CT and Michael Vaughan and his fiancé Allison Kozma of Stamford, CT. Great-grandchildren Anya Vaughan-Wood of Brooklyn, NY and John and Kiera Duffy of Stamford, CT; along with her son-in-law Richard Vaughan of Stratford, CT.

Besides her parents, Dorothy was predeceased by her beloved husband Dudley Loften, Jr., and their daughter Cathy Vaughan.

Dorothy’s family would like to thank the staff and caregivers from Waveny Visiting Nurse and Hospice of Fairfield County for their compassionate and loving care.

Family and friends may call at the Nicholas F. Cognetta Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Myrtle Ave., Stamford, CT on Monday, April 22, 2024 from 9:00AM to 11:00AM. A prayer service will be held at the funeral home at 11:00AM. A procession will follow to Long Ridge Union Cemetery, Erskine Road, Stamford, where a burial will be held.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Dorothy Loften to the American Cancer Society.

To leave an online condolence please visit www.Cognetta.com

Vinod Kurup, 58, passed away unexpectedly on April 8, 2024, in Riverside, Connecticut. Vinod was a loving father, husband, son, brother, and friend. He was the son of the late Mr. N.V. Kurup and the late Mrs. Radha Kurup. He is survived by his wife, Meera Ayyampully, and children, Rohini and Prathit Kurup. The funeral service will be held on April 13.