Bertha C Ryba

Bertha C. Ryba, 93, a longtime resident of Riverside, CT, peacefully passed away at her home on the afternoon of Friday, January 16, 2015 with her family by her side. Bertha was born in Bayonne, NJ on January 4, 1922 and was one of eight children born to late Sofia (Poplaska) and Joseph Stefanowicz. Growing up, Bertha was a dear daughter, sister and friend. Following high school, she worked for a time at the Electrolux factory in Old Greenwich, which is where she met her husband, Henry. She also worked as administrative assistant at Noroton Publishing Company for a ten year period, and worked as a seamstress on off hours from home. She worked tirelessly to be sure her family was cared for. Above all, Bertha spent her life in dedication to her family, cooking and celebrating every day as if it were a special holiday. She lived life by celebrating it every day; always finding an element of joy in life’s little wonders. She took nothing for granted and always managed to make the ordinary special. She was a dedicated wife to her beloved husband of 65 years, Henry, and a loving mother and grandmother who cared for her family completely and selflessly. She instilled in her family the traits she held dear – her Catholic faith, the importance of family, her love and respect for nature and the outdoors, the necessity of exercise (walking, swimming and bike riding), her enjoyment of cooking and entertaining company, and her willingness to always help others. Bertha also loved to sew and was a skilled seamstress. It was her creative outlet. One of her most favorite activities was spending time in her sewing circle, which included her sister, Julia, and her dear friend, Mavis. Bertha is survived by her loving husband, Henry Ryba, her children; Mark Ryba (Debbie), Brian Ryba (Mary), Janice Ryba Fischer and Beth Milton (Paul), and nine grandchildren: Jeffrey, Emily, Kyle, Brooke, Madeline, Anna Sophia, Tara, Kelly, and Bridget. She is also survived by her sister, Julia Cox and her brother, Fred Stefanowicz. Besides her parents, Bertha was preceded in death by her siblings; Henry, Edward, Chester and Stanley Stefanowicz. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, January 20th at 11 a.m. at Holy Name of Jesus Church, 325 Washington Blvd., in Stamford. The committal service and interment will immediately follow mass at St. Mary R.C. Cemetery in Greenwich. The family kindly asks that you consider donating in Betha’s memory to: The Holy Name Restoration Fund, 4 Pulaski Street, Stamford, CT 06902 - www. holynamestamford.org . If you care to leave a condolence message online please visit the family guestbook on www.bosakfuneralhome. com or funeral home Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ bosakfuneralhome.

Bertha C Ryba

January 4, 1922 - January 16, 2015