Virginia (Nowakowski) Rys, 87, passed away peacefully on Saturday December 31, 2016 at Apple Rehab Coccomo with her husband and daughter by her side. She was the wife of Thaddeus (Ted) Rys, her loving husband of 60 years.

Born on October 1, 1929 she was a lifelong resident of Meriden and grew up on Gale Ave. Virginia was a graduate of St. Stanislaus School, Meriden and Meriden High School, Class of 1947. She was a devoted parishioner of St. Stanislaus Church. Virginia was very active in St. Stanislaus Home & School Association and chairman of the school's Holiday and Craft event for many years. She worked at New Departure. Virginia was an excellent seamstress, gardener, an artist and amazing crafter. She will be greatly missed.

Mrs. Rys is survived by her son Paul Rys and his wife Cindy of Eden Prairie, MN; her daughter Laurie Calvo of Meriden and four cherished grandchildren: Nathan and Catherine Rys and Salvatore and Selina Calvo.

Family and friends are invited to attend her Mass of Christian burial on Thursday January 5th at 10:00 a.m. in St. Stanislaus Church. Burial will be at the convenience of the family. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Stempien Funeral Home, 450 Broad St., Meriden. To send an online expression of sympathy please visit www.stempienfuneralhome.com .