Obituary for Jeannette Serwanski
Jeannette “Mim” Gaudreau Serwanski, was finally able to join her husband after 37 years of waiting and wondering why the hell he hadn’t come sooner. To explain, Pepe was having a blast up there! But, luck was finally on her side, when he came to get her, on April 3rd, 2020, to join the fun above. Born December 13th, 1922 to Auguste Gaudreau & Marie Louise (Caisse) Gaudreau, a tom boy from the start and the last of the seven children, She now joins her sisters Alice Vincellette, Claire Vallieres, Irene Wrzesien and brothers Eddie Gaudreau, Phil Gaudreau and Roland Gaudreau.
Some of her best stories are filled with love, laughs & wonderful memories at the family home on South Street in Willimantic. A devoted catholic and member of Saint Mary’s church in Willimantic, she attended SMSJ School. She joined the work force shortly after the passing of her father and worked at Electro Motive & American Thread as a supervisor at both facilities.
She then met her husband Theodore “Ted/Teddie” Serwanski, the love of her life. They soon planned to wed, but due to some family drama the couple had to escape Willimantic hopping on a train bound for Detroit, MI. with blessings from their priest at St Mary’s and some helpful guidance. Train bound they were. They wed May 2, 1942, with their wedding being witnessed by two caretakers at the church in Detroit. She always gave a giggle when she shared that story. The couple feared returning to Willimantic. however all was well and they settled happily in Willimantic in their apartment on Oak Street. After WWII, the family moved to Carefree Lane in Chaplin with their one and only son Rickey T. Serwanski. Jean remained on Carefree for the remainder of her life. Jean & Ted enjoyed family gatherings, especially their notorious parties in their basement, even sneaking a few nuns down for a little sacrament and backyard barbecues with numerous relatives. Decorating the house for the holidays was a ritual as were bowling the night away. No bowling night was complete without a stop at the Polish Club. Trust me, those stories would make you laugh out loud! She enjoyed family trips to Misquamicut beach and Lake Winnepesaukee. Her bestie and get away driver Yvette Marchand was always in on the fun, too. Friends from childhood the two would eventually live together after the passing of her husband, until their final years, causing trouble with Yvette always being the scape goat. The two were bingo buddies, slot machine sisters, salon queens and just plain fun when together. Sorry, Yvette, you only had a little time up there without her. I guess you needed your sidekick. You are Thelma to her Louise.
Her grandchildren will always remember her saying. Don’t buy me anything for Christmas because I’ll be dead by then. She was the life of the party with her lamp shade wearing, Tiny Bubbles singing , first to put straws up her nose & act like a walrus, dirty card sending, game playing, Frank Sinatra loving, Aqua Net spraying, peppermint toting, Bubble Yum popping, cover girl lipstick wearing, jokester. Not to say Doctor flirting...well, anyone in a uniform. She was always the last to leave a wedding and the first to belt out her special birthday song to embarrass you on your special day. And we wouldn’t have her any other way. Thank you for all the amazing laughs, Mim. We know you're happy, laughing, dancing and being silly in heaven. Only hoping that’s the direction you went.
We extend many thanks the numerous aids and caregivers that were able to experience both Jean and Yvette together with all their antics. Dr. Sawicki, I’m sure you can attest to this.
She leaves her former daughter in-law and caretaker, personal nurse, grocery shopping guru, assistant to everything & Holy Saint Kathy Patera.
We love you & we will miss you, granddaugther Tammy & husband Dave Browning of Killingly, granddaughter Kara and husband Jay, great grandchildren, Drew & Avery Green of Chaplin. She also leaves behind a special niece Mary Lou-Laflamme, along with many nieces, nephews and greats as well, her party helpers when she recalled the old times at her home, Donna & Debbie Marouski and Brian Laflamme.
So, here we are in 2020 with Covid-19. Yup, she got her way, no big hoopla. We ask that you honor Mim by raising your bingo marker high in the sky! Yell “BINGO” and crack open a Schaefer or cocktail of choice. Gosh, she’ll be cracking up, up there. “BINGO!!” Here’s to you, Mim!
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Some of her best stories are filled with love, laughs & wonderful memories at the family home on South Street in Willimantic. A devoted catholic and member of Saint Mary’s church in Willimantic, she attended SMSJ School. She joined the work force shortly after the passing of her father and worked at Electro Motive & American Thread as a supervisor at both facilities.
She then met her husband Theodore “Ted/Teddie” Serwanski, the love of her life. They soon planned to wed, but due to some family drama the couple had to escape Willimantic hopping on a train bound for Detroit, MI. with blessings from their priest at St Mary’s and some helpful guidance. Train bound they were. They wed May 2, 1942, with their wedding being witnessed by two caretakers at the church in Detroit. She always gave a giggle when she shared that story. The couple feared returning to Willimantic. however all was well and they settled happily in Willimantic in their apartment on Oak Street. After WWII, the family moved to Carefree Lane in Chaplin with their one and only son Rickey T. Serwanski. Jean remained on Carefree for the remainder of her life. Jean & Ted enjoyed family gatherings, especially their notorious parties in their basement, even sneaking a few nuns down for a little sacrament and backyard barbecues with numerous relatives. Decorating the house for the holidays was a ritual as were bowling the night away. No bowling night was complete without a stop at the Polish Club. Trust me, those stories would make you laugh out loud! She enjoyed family trips to Misquamicut beach and Lake Winnepesaukee. Her bestie and get away driver Yvette Marchand was always in on the fun, too. Friends from childhood the two would eventually live together after the passing of her husband, until their final years, causing trouble with Yvette always being the scape goat. The two were bingo buddies, slot machine sisters, salon queens and just plain fun when together. Sorry, Yvette, you only had a little time up there without her. I guess you needed your sidekick. You are Thelma to her Louise.
Her grandchildren will always remember her saying. Don’t buy me anything for Christmas because I’ll be dead by then. She was the life of the party with her lamp shade wearing, Tiny Bubbles singing , first to put straws up her nose & act like a walrus, dirty card sending, game playing, Frank Sinatra loving, Aqua Net spraying, peppermint toting, Bubble Yum popping, cover girl lipstick wearing, jokester. Not to say Doctor flirting...well, anyone in a uniform. She was always the last to leave a wedding and the first to belt out her special birthday song to embarrass you on your special day. And we wouldn’t have her any other way. Thank you for all the amazing laughs, Mim. We know you're happy, laughing, dancing and being silly in heaven. Only hoping that’s the direction you went.
We extend many thanks the numerous aids and caregivers that were able to experience both Jean and Yvette together with all their antics. Dr. Sawicki, I’m sure you can attest to this.
She leaves her former daughter in-law and caretaker, personal nurse, grocery shopping guru, assistant to everything & Holy Saint Kathy Patera.
We love you & we will miss you, granddaugther Tammy & husband Dave Browning of Killingly, granddaughter Kara and husband Jay, great grandchildren, Drew & Avery Green of Chaplin. She also leaves behind a special niece Mary Lou-Laflamme, along with many nieces, nephews and greats as well, her party helpers when she recalled the old times at her home, Donna & Debbie Marouski and Brian Laflamme.
So, here we are in 2020 with Covid-19. Yup, she got her way, no big hoopla. We ask that you honor Mim by raising your bingo marker high in the sky! Yell “BINGO” and crack open a Schaefer or cocktail of choice. Gosh, she’ll be cracking up, up there. “BINGO!!” Here’s to you, Mim!
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