Estelle Rose McCauley

Estelle Rose McCauley, long time resident of Norwalk, CT, peacefully went to the Lord to be with her precious husband on Wednesday, January 6, 2021, the Feast of Three Kings. Her loving daughter was by her side. She was born Stanislawa Bogdanska on February 1, 1922 in Stamford, CT to the late Boleslaw and Rozalia Bogdanski. Estelle was predeceased by her beloved husband, George W. McCauley, and her two special brothers, Michael and John Bogdanski. She was also predeceased by sisters-in-law, Nancy Bogdanski, Vera McCauley and Marjorie Keppie and brothers-in law, Robert McCauley and Charles Keppie as well as nephews, Robert and Peter McCauley. She is survived by her devoted daughter, Elizabeth McCauley and nieces and nephews; Michael Bogdanski, Michelle Morin (goddaughter), Melanie Patchett), Steven, Keith, Jeffrey, Marjorie and Kenneth Keppie and Dennis McCauley, Maureen Whelan and Madeline Callahan as well as 27 great nieces and nephews and 32 great-great nieces and nephews, her godson, Thomas Majdanski, brother-in-law, John McCauley Jr., and many cousins in the U.S. and Poland all of whom she loved with all her heart. Estelle was a lifetime communicant of the beautiful, Polish Holy Name of Jesus Church and loved her parish family dearly, participating over the years in various organizations such as Solidarity of Mary, Rosary Society, Pulaski Parade, Dozynki Committees and many church functions. She had a deep devotion to the Blessed Mother and the Holy Spirit who guided her life. She graduated from Holy Name of Jesus School, Stamford High School and attended Shorts Business School. Mom was the School Secretary at Holy Name of Jesus School but was so much more to the entire school community where she worked closely with the Bernadine Sisters for 26 years until the School’s closing. She often reminisced with hometown nostalgia of her earlier jobs at W.T. Grant’s, Northam Warren, Schick’s, Electric Specialty Company (where she met George), Luder’s historic Boat Yard and Pitney Bowes. One of these roles made her a contributor to the wartime initiatives that could be likened to “Rosie the Riveter” where she worked on armatures that became part of the landing gear in WWII planes which helped to win the war, and of that she was immensely proud. After the war when dad returned from Naval duty in the South Pacific, they married in Stamford, CT. Most recently, mom was part of a neighborhood activist group for historic preservation in the South End of Stamford and provided inspiration for various causes attending town hall meetings well into her late 90’s. Estelle was a gracious woman who lived her life as the gift God meant it to be, devoted to family who she cherished and adored as they did her. It was her deep faith and trust in the Lord that gave her strength, meaning and inner peace throughout her life. She gave her love, support and enthusiasm as a daughter, sister, wife, mother, aunt/cioci and friend. She was a gentle soul with her beautiful blue eyes bringing grace, charm, kindness, energy, a spirited sense of humor and a smile to all who knew her. Known to speak her mind and offer life lessons with a strong will, Mom could always be counted on to think outside of the box bringing a new dimension to the solution of problems or challenges. In her younger years, she delighted in ballroom dancing to the live Big Bands, polka dancing and especially enjoyed classical piano music. She was always up for adventures and escapades, fairs, festivals, theatre, shows, casinos, parades and birthday dinners with her daughter traveling to many places in the United States from Maine to Florida, New York to California, Hawaii, Canada, Europe and the Caribbean with favorite highlights being events such as Rose Bowl Parade, Epcot Flower Show, Kentucky Derby, Pilgrim Parade, Quebec City Winter Carnival and especially her mother’s family home in Szczuczyn, Poland along with the 600th Commemorative Teutonic Battle of Grunewald. Estelle loved sewing, crocheting, embroidering, growing vegetables and flowers in her garden and cooking and baking, known for her signature Apple and Lemon Meringue Pies when celebrating holidays with her close and cherished family. Mom and I often said to one another, “It’s good to be home, isn’t it?” . . . .and now, mom, you are in your eternal home in God’s loving arms. Her light will shine as brightly as the Christmas star all the days of our lives until we meet with her loving gaze again. Our special angel, my amazing, remarkable, loving mom, a true blessing, will be dearly missed. Please consider making a donation in her memory to the: Holy Name of Jesus Restoration Fund, 4 Pulaski Street, Stamford, CT 06902. Her family welcomes all friends and relatives on Tuesday, January 12th from 4pm to 8pm at Bosak Funeral Home, 453 Shippan Avenue in Stamford, CT. There will be a Prayer Service at 6:15pm that will be live streamed, for family and friends to join virtually. To attend, please select “webcast video” on Estelle’s obituary at www.bosakfuneralhome.com. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10am on Wednesday, January 13th at the Holy Name of Jesus Church, 325 Washington Blvd, in Stamford. To attend virtually, please go to the church YouTube channel where livestream will be available, here is the link: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4bnXg6MNeo4yOgy32D9ISQ Her interment will follow at St. John’s Cemetery in Darien, CT. In compliance with state mandates and the safety of all those attending her funeral services, it is mandatory to wear face coverings and maintain social distancing. If you would like to leave a condolence message online please visit the family guestbook to share memories with her family at www.bosakfuneralhome.com or www.facebook.com/bosakfuneralhome.

Estelle Rose McCauley

February 1, 1922 - January 6, 2021