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Death Announced of Joan Griswold Park Lewis, Formerly of Old Lyme; Daughter of William B. Griswold, Sister to David Griswold

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Joan Griswold Park Lewis

5/31 UPDATE: Details of the funeral service for Mrs. Lewis have now been announced. It will be held Saturday June 7, at 11 a.m. at St. Ann’s’ Church in Old Lyme. A luncheon will follow the service.

Joan Griswold Park Lewis, most recently of Merrimack County Nursing Home, Boscawen, New Hampshire passed away peacefully with family at her side on the first day of spring, March 20, 2025.

Mrs. Lewis was born in Erie, Pennsylvania on March 30, 1930, daughter of William B. Griswold and Jessie Griswold. Rosalie Griswold McCook was her dear step mother.

The family moved to Old Lyme, Connecticut in 1945. She graduated from St Margaret’s School in Waterbury, Connecticut in 1948. In 1952, she graduated from Bouve Boston School of Physical Therapy and Tufts University in Medford, Massachusetts as a registered Physical Therapist. She was married in 1953 to James B Park of Concord, New Hampshire. They moved to Sugar Land, Texas where Mr. Park was a banker and Mrs. Park was a physical therapist.

In 1975, she moved back to Old Lyme where she had her own physical therapy office and worked at Chesterfield Convalescent Home as a therapist for 18 years.

She moved to Concord, New Hampshire in 1996. Over the years, she enjoyed many hobbies including gardening, knitting, hiking, photography, crafts and traveling. Her greatest passions were her grandchildren and the Boston Red Sox!

Survivors include five children: James G Park and Lane P Litchford of Lynchburg, Virginia; David B. Park and daughter-in-law, Sidney of Albuquerque, New Mexico; Tracy P Barrett and son-in-law Chris of Loudon, New Hampshire; and William H. Park (Paula Hoch) of Denver, Colorado. A brother and sister-in-law David and Elaine Griswold of Old Lyme, Connecticut. Six grandchildren, Erin and Caitlin Barrett, Megan and Boyce Litchford (Jessie and Aiden), Brittany Litchford Guill (Austin Guill), and Cassandra Park; and one great grandchild, Berkley Guill. Two nephews, Jeffrey (Kim Forbes Griswold) and Eric Griswold (Maddy Farkas), and one niece, Laura Griswold Wentz (Joshua Wentz). Three great nephews, James, Daniel, and Matthew Wentz. She was pre-deceased by a brother, William B Griswold, Jr, and a half-brother, Lawrence Lee. 

A private graveside service will be held later this spring at the Griswold Cemetery followed by a service at St Ann’s Episcopal Church in Old Lyme, Connecticut. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the McCurdy Salisbury Educational Foundation in Old Lyme.

Death Announced of Patricia Ann Martinell, Sister of James Meehan of Old Lyme

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Patricia Ann Martinell

GRISWOLD, CT — Patricia Martinell, 78, died peacefully at home surrounded by her family on Friday, May 23, 2025. She was a beloved wife, mother, sister, grandmother, aunt, friend and woman of deep faith. Born in Meriden, CT on June 18, 1946, she was the daughter of the late Herbert and Lube (Petrochko) Meehan and graduated from Maloney high school. She lived in Meriden until moving to Griswold, CT in 2004.

Patty was the office manager at a dermatologist’s office in Meriden before retiring to the lake. She was a charter member of the Columbiettes at St. Mary’s Church in Jewett City. Her commitment to service inspired others to join her packing shoeboxes for people experiencing homelessness, serving at the food pantry, and participating in the Annual Christmas bazaar; for which she chaired the craft tables, crocheted countless baby blankets over the years and encouraged others to share their homemade crafts.

She is survived by her husband Joe, who were sweethearts throughout high school and married for 57 years, her daughter Lisa and her son David. She warmly welcomed her children’s spouses, Daphne and Erin into the family and was thrilled to become a grandmother at the birth of her granddaughter Ava. She is also survived by her brother James Meehan and his wife Mary, her brother-in-law James Martinell and his wife Nancy, her nieces, nephews and numerous life-long friends whose lives have been touched by her loving and generous spirit.

She and Joe spent winters at King’s Point, Florida where they enjoyed the company of friends playing cards, dancing, dining out and attending concerts.

Patty will be remembered for her joy at living near and seeing “diamonds” when the sun danced on the water, her reminder to us to always be kind, her delight in having a house filled with friends and family, her courage and fierceness as she lived with cancer, and her faith in God and love of the Virgin Mary, which sustained her through her final days.

The funeral will be held on Saturday May 31st at noon at St. Mary’s Church, 34 North Main St, Jewett City. Family and friends may call at the Griswold Funeral Home, 30 North Main Street before Mass from 10:00 am  to 11:45 am. In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to St. Mary’s Church or St. Jude Children Research Hospital’s website at stjude.org

Death Announced of Elizabeth Margaret Brodeur, Formerly of Old Lyme; Member of OL High School Class of 1975

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Elizabeth Margaret Brodeur

EAST LYME — Elizabeth Margaret Brodeur, beloved daughter, sister, aunt, and friend, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family following a courageous battle with cancer. 

Born on July 20, 1957, to Donald S. and Elizabeth H. (Nancy) Brodeur, Elizabeth, affectionately nicknamed Liz, was the second oldest of ten children. Growing up in Old Lyme, Connecticut, Liz’s early years were rooted in the strength and joy of a large, close-knit family where she often took on a motherly role for her younger siblings. 

Elizabeth graduated from Old Lyme High School in 1975, where she was a proud member of the National Honor Society.  Her academic drive and spirited energy reflected the determination that would guide her throughout life. She went on to attend the University of Connecticut, where she studied abroad and graduated in 1981 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Spanish with a minor in Economics. Forever a Husky, Liz looked forward to basketball season, enthusiastically cheering on both men’s and women’s teams.  

Elizabeth’s exceptional Catholic faith sustained her, especially in times of personal suffering. She met life’s challenges with courage refusing to let her illnesses define her, she was  a passionate advocate for mental health. Her deep spirituality encompassed every aspect of her character, integrity and her commitment to living her life without apology. 

Elizabeth dedicated herself to the field of elder care, offering comfort, dignity, and companionship to those in their most vulnerable moments. Her life’s work was a testament to her compassion, patience, and deeply held belief in the value of every human being. 

She cherished the simple pleasures of life: an afternoon in the sunshine, a dinner out with a friend or loved one, caring for her beloved cats, or the joy of giving a thoughtful gift chosen with care. Her generosity and attentiveness made those around her feel seen and loved.  

In recent years, Elizabeth made her home in East Lyme and New London, where she made a point to connect with those she loved through calls, texts and her signature hand-written cards. She will be remembered as a family treasure, cherished for her personal relationships with each member, her big heart, sense of humor, and the twinkle in her blue eyes. 

She is survived by her siblings, Donald Jr. and Karen (Agres), Jonathan and Susan (Andrews), Christopher and Margaret (Randall), Rosemary and Michael Cairns, Eric and Stacie (Skinner), Stephan, Stephanie, Marc and Jennifer (O’Connell), her Uncle Roderic Hartung and her cat Emily.  She was predeceased by her brother Timothy and wife Theresa (Sottile), her parents, Donald and Elizabeth Brodeur, her companion of 19 years, Richard Kay, and their beloved cat, Spice Girl. Elizabeth “Aunt Liz” will be deeply missed by her twenty-five nieces and nephews.  

Calling hours are Friday May 30th from 4-7 pm at Christ the King Church, 1 McCurdy Road, Old Lyme, CT.  A mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday May 31st at 10 am at Christ the King Church. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks that donations be made to NAMI, 4301 Wilson Blvd., Suite 300, Arlington, VA 22203 or online at www.nami.org , to The Foundation for Women’s Cancer 26533 Network Place Chicago, IL 60673-1286 https://foundationforwomenscancer.org/support-us/ways-to-give/?campaign=646054 or to Forgotten Felines,153 Horse Hill Road, Westbrook, CT 06498 or online at  www.forgottenfelinesct.org. 

 Please visit www.fultontherouxoldlyme.com for tributes and directions.

Death Announced of Wayne S. Kyder of Old Lyme, Owner of CT Compass Service

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OLD LYME—Wayne S. Kyder, 76, owner of CT Compass Service who took on a variety of hands-on challenges throughout his life, died April 21, 2025, after a long fight with Parkinson’s Disease. Born May 17, 1949, to David and Ada Kyder, he was also the stepson of Otto Rudolph Kyder. …

He married Sarah Suderley Meneely in 1974; and she survives him. Other survivors are his brother David Kyder (Nancy) of North Haven; sister Sharon Hunt (John) of North Guilford; and three nephews, …

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 31, at the Old Lyme First Congregational Church. Donations in his memory can be sent to Parkinson’s Disease research or Hospice.

Visit this link to read the full obituary published by The Day on May 18, 2025.