Longtime Middlebury resident
Eluycia “Wanda” (Majewski) Alex, 104, widow of Anthony Daniel Alex, passed away peacefully Monday, Oct. 26, 2015, at Middlebury Convalescent Home.
Mrs. Alex was born in Waterbury, Conn., Aug. 9, 1911, the daughter of the late Fabian and Zofia (Chiemlieski) Majewski. A longtime resident of Middlebury, she was well known for her flower arrangements and volunteerism throughout the community. She was an active member of the Waterbury Garden Club, Polish Junior League, and St. John of the Cross Church. Wanda also donated her time knitting caps for newborns at St. Mary’s Hospital. She passed on her volunteerism to her oldest and youngest grandchildren. She loved animals, enjoyed tennis and swimming, and was a life guard during her youth.
At age three, Wanda, through an illness, lost her eyesight and hearing. A few years later, her eyesight was restored but she remained deaf until age 90, when the hearing aid was perfected to accommodate her disability. Graduating high school in 1929 as salutatorian of her class, she spoke three languages fluently and was awarded a scholarship to nursing school. Because of her health, she declined the opportunity but carried her love, compassion and tenderness to all that knew her throughout her life.
Wanda’s love for animals and the disabled was reflected in her relationship with her disabled granddaughter Alexandrea. She never spoke ill of anyone and always encouraged her daughter and grandchildren to follow suit. A great lady, Wanda will be greatly missed. Her mantra was “to forgive and never judge.”
Wanda is survived by her daughter, Andrea Alex-Jeans and her lifetime partner, Gunnar W. Gaylord, of Harwinton; her four grandchildren, Christopher Alex Jeans and his wife, Melissa, of West Cornwall; Brett Alex Jeans and his wife, Laura, of Luzern, Switzerland; and twin granddaughters. Alexandrea Barbara Jeans and Jenifer Alex Jeans, both of Harwinton; four great-grandchildren, Evan Alex Jeans and Olivia Grace Jeans, both of West Cornwall; and Oscar Antony Alex Jeans and Marlow Anouk Alex, both of Luzern, Switzerland; a sister-in-law, Helen Majewski of Waterbury; and several godchildren, nieces and nephews.
The family wishes to thank the staff at Middlebury Convalescent Home for the stellar care given to Wanda during the last eight years of her life.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Thursday, Oct. 29, 2015, at noon at St. John of the Cross Church at 1089 Whittemore Road in Middlebury. Burial will be private in Lake Elise Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Middlebury Convalescent Home Recreation Fund, 778 Middlebury Road, Middlebury, CT 06762. The Naugatuck Valley Memorial/Fitzgerald-Zembruski Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. To send an online condolence, please visit www.naugatuckvalleymemorial.com.
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