Eleanor J. (Dusi) Richard

Eleanor J. (Dusi) Richard, 92, of Harwinton, CT, peacefully passed away at her home on Thursday, June 25, 2020.  She was the beloved wife of the late Adrian Richard.

Eleanor was born September 20, 1927, in Torrington, CT, the daughter of the late John and Bertha (LeJeune) Dusi.  She was employed by Browns Optical as the Office Manager until her retirement.  She enjoyed flower gardening, was an avid bowler and a member of the Skytop Lanes Women’s Bowling League for many years. She was an avid fan of the Boston Red Sox and UCONN basketball; climbing the Gampel Pavilion bleachers to watch a women’s game at 91 years old.

Eleanor loved reading and frequented the Harwinton Library.  She enjoyed travelling, especially to Cape May and camping in New Hampshire.  She enjoyed cooking Sunday and holiday dinners; creating her own cookbook one Christmas so her treasured recipes would live on.  She was a faithful member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church for over 70 years and could always be counted on to bake the perfect apple pies for the church booth at the Harwinton Fair; where she volunteered for many years tagging items.

She treasured most the visits from her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren who all knew where to find Grammie’s 75-year old cookie jar and candy dish.

She is survived by one son, Bruce Richard of Harwinton, CT; two daughters, Adrienne Korn and her husband John of Torrington, CT; Pamela Parkosewich and her husband Gary T. of Old Saybrook, CT and one sister, Lucille Merati of Torrington and several nieces and nephews.  She was most proud of her 5 grandchildren, Lesa Vanotti (Tom), Debbi Bahar (Patrick), David Pelizzari (Elaine), Amy Thayer (Luke) and Gary D Parkosewich and her eleven great grandchildren.

Relative and friends may call on Monday evening, June 29, 2020, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Cook Funeral Home, 82 Litchfield St., Torrington.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, June 30, 2020, at 10:00 a.m. at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church (Our Lady of Hope Parish), 78 Litchfield Rd., Harwinton, CT.  Relatives and friends are asked to meet directly at the church.  Burial will follow at St. Francis New Cemetery.  All relatives and friends attending calling hours and the funeral services are reminded to follow CDC recommendations for COVID prevention -- please follow social distancing guidelines and wear protective masks.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (www.stjude.org)  or the Harwinton Library, 80 Bentley Dr, Harwinton.  Condolences may be sent to Eleanor’s family by visiting www.cookfuneralhomect.com