Obituary of Anna Kucej

Resident of Trumbull Anna Klco Kucej, age 85, of Trumbull, a retired private duty nurse, died on Tuesday, April 25, 2006 at her residence. Born in Krakovany, Slovakia on April 10, 1921, she was a daughter of the late Jozef and Katarina Havrlentova Klco. Anna emigrated to the United States alone when she was 15 years old and became a naturalized citizen at age18. Between the years of 1950 and the late 1980s, Anna made numerous visits back to her family where she traveled throughout her homeland acquiring an extensive collection of artifacts, antiquities, kroje, crystal and folk art from various regions of Slovakia as well as having personally commissioned paintings from local Slovak artists. Subsequently, Annas unwavering love and loyalty for her heritage and culture became the impetus for her selfless sharing of Slovak traditions and folklore with the American born Slovak through her cultural exhibits and displays at International Festivals, Sokols, libraries and schools throughout New York, Connecticut, New Jersey and Florida. She has served on and spearheaded numerous boards and committees in her tireless efforts to showcase the Slovak culture. She donated her collection of artifacts, paintings and antique ethnic costumes to the Czech and Slovak Museum of Iowa and donated a collection to Ellis Island. She was pre-deceased by her husband, John Kucej. Survivors include three children, Dolores Elliano and her husband, Pat of Trumbull, Linda Sabatasso and her husband, Pat of Madison and Thomas Kucej and his wife, Doreen of Ocala, Florida, a beloved niece, Evelyn Betas, five grandchildren, Halie Sabatasso, Mason Kucej, Jennifer, Kristine and Kara Kucej and two great grandchildren. Funeral Information Funeral services will take place on Friday, April 28, 2006 at 10:30 a.m. from the Abriola Parkview Funeral Home, 419 White Plains Road, Trumbull, and at 11:30 a.m. in St. Theresa Church, Trumbull for a Mass of Christian Burial. Interment will follow in the Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Trumbull. Friends may call on Thursday from 4-8 p.m.