Obituary of Elizabeth Turrell

Elizabeth Gombos Turrell, age 98, beloved wife of the late George Joseph Turrell, entered into eternal life on July 27th.

The daughter of the late John and Elizabeth Gombos, "Betty" was a lifelong resident of her treasured town of Fairfield.

She is cherished by her two loving daughters, Elizabeth Turrell Kocaba and her husband, Robert, of Trumbull and June Turrell MacKenzie and her husband Malcolm of Fairfield, five grand children, James Kocaba and his wife, Susan, of Madison, Ct., Julie Leonard and her husband Patrick, of Larchmont, N.Y., Anna Zamat and her husband, Michael, of Fairfield, Alyson Karnath and her husband, Alex, of Alameda, Ca., and Mallory Young and her husband Ryan, of New York City. Betty has nine great grandchildren - Matthew, Gunnar, Alexandra, and Blake Leonard, Owen and Drew Kocaba, Samuel and William Zamat, and Luke Karnath. Betty is also survived by her brother, Daniel Harold Gombos of Woodbury, her sister-in-law, Helena Pajolek of Bridgeport and several nieces and nephews.

Betty's passions were her family, faith and service to others. She was an officer and member of countless organizations. Her church life at Calvin United Church of Christ included a lifetime of teaching Sunday School and Vacation Bible School, singing in the choir and involvement in all church functions. Betty taught weekday religious school in the Greater Bridgeport area and was involved in the Council of Churches.

Betty was also involved in the Church Women United, founded in 1941, which was an ecumenical movement comprised of women regardless of race or denomination which provided a place of fellowship and understanding. Betty was also actively involved with the Southport Women's Club, founded in 1915, which provided her and the other members with stimulating social and cultural conversations, as well as opportunities to improve the community. Betty highly valued education and was an active member and officer of Parent Teacher Associations.

At age 60, Betty founded a nursery school at Calvin United Church. For ten years, her classes overflowed with three and four year olds. She created a loving environment in which she promoted a love of learning and practices of kindness with her cherished little ones and their families. In 1975, Betty was honored with the Connecticut Mother or the Year Award for her exemplary service to a wide range of organizations and people in her community and state.

Betty gently wove her family and friends into her volunteer work by appointing herself the designated driver to all would be volunteers who couldn't drive. She filled her car with people who wanted to sing in the choir, help out with programs and cheerfully led the way. Her unconditional "Yes, sure!" response to any call for assistance inspired others to do the same. Her cheerful nature along with her positive energy, deep and wide faith in God and his love were infectious.

Her family was the primary recipient of her greatest love –with her time and attention. She placed her family first and worked, walked and thought quickly, running circles around most of us while cooking chicken paprikas, writing love notes, baking Hungarian confections and gathering us for family time around the dining table, complete with her arranged flowers for Sunday dinner.

Betty was always available to her family, caring for us in every way and demonstrating that nothing was ever too much trouble. She lived from a place of love. We were so proud of her and happy to share "Mrs. Turrell" with the world. "God Bless You Always, Mother," Your loving family.

Funeral services were held privately in the care of the Lesko & Polke Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be directed to The Alzheimer's Association P.O. Box 9601or Vitas Community Connection 255 E 5th St Suite 2600, Cincinnati, OH 45202-4138.

To sign an online register, please visit www.LeskoPolkeFuneralHome.com