Evelyn L. (Przetak) Gavalis

Torrington, Evelyn L. Gavalis 94, passed away Thursday, April 9, 2020 at Litchfield Woods Health Care Center, Torrington. She was the beloved wife of the late Edwin F. Gavalis, Sr.

        Evelyn Przetak Gavalis was born in Torrington to the late William and Stella (Dziesenka) Przetak on January 31, 1926. She lived in Torrington most of her life, attending Migeon Ave. School, Torrington High School class of 1944 and St. Vincent’s Hospital School of Nursing. She was a lifelong Communicant of the former St. Mary’s Church, Torrington. Mrs. Gavalis was employed as a dental assistant for 41 years. She was an active member of the Litchfield County Dental Assistants Association, Conn. Dental Assistants Association and a life member of the American Dental Association. She was a member of the Polish National Alliance where she was Elected Commissioner of District 2 at the national convention in Hartford. She held this office from 1959 to 1975. She held offices in the Polish American Congress and the Polish Legion of American Veterans The Alexander Kaczmareck Post.

        Left to cherish her memory are her son, Edwin F. Gavalis Jr. and his wife Sue of Conway, SC; two daughters, Paula S. Kasenetz and her husband Bruce, and Judi A. Gioiele and her husband Al, all of Torrington; six grandchildren Casey Hill (Matt), Haley Kasenetz (Gabriel), Thomas Kasenetz (Kelly), John Berg, William Berg (Chelsey) and Katie Richard; eight great-granchildren, with two more great-grandchildren arriving soon and  many nieces and nephews as well as many cherished friends. She was predeceased by three brothers, Zigmund, Henry and Vitold Przetak and three sisters, Lucy Jankowski, Irene Martel and Regina Chapin.

        Heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Stephen Bryant, the APRN's, nurses, CNA’s, social workers, therapist and all the staff of The Litchfield Woods  Health Care Center who provided exceptional and compassionate care and made her feel it was her home away from home. The family would also like to give special recognition to the nurses on the Transfusion floor and her friends at Pulmonary Rehab at CHH.

        Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, services and burial in New St. Francis Cemetery, Torrington, will be held privately. A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at a date and time to be announced. Gleeson- Ryan Funeral Home, 258 Prospect St., Torrington is in care of the arrangements.

        At the request of the family, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Red Cross Connecticut and Rhode Island in memory of Evelyn to support the work of the Red Cross. American Red Cross of Connecticut and Rhode Island, 209 Farmington Avenue, Farmington, CT 06032 or online by visiting redcross.org/ct.

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