Ann R. Gaunya

Heaven welcomed a new interior decorator today. The change was immediately notable in the heavenly kingdom with great additions of color to the clouds of glory and numerous decorative throw pillows to God’s golden throne. The Lord commented, “Generally, I love what she’s done to the place but the fleur-de-lis stenciling on the pearly gates is a bit much”.

Ann Rita (Fowler) Gaunya, 89, of Wallingford, beloved wife of Neil Gaunya for 68 years, passed away peacefully on July 27, 2024 surrounded by her loving family. Ann was born on July 12, 1935, in New Haven, CT to the late Earl and Ellen Fowler. 

Ann grew up in a large tight knit family with 5 older sisters and 2 brothers. Deeply devoted to her husband, family and friends, the doors of the Gaunya home were always open. Ann was very outgoing and loved people. No one was ever a stranger for long once they started a conversation with her. It was always said she could get the life story out of a clam in 5 minutes.

Ann worked in a variety of jobs over the years. She began as an administrative assistant at Seamless Rubber and later was a Librarian at The University of New Haven. In addition, she was word processor at Data Products New England, and office manager at Heberger and Associates, and Wellspeak, Dugas and Kane Real Estate Appraisers.

Ann had an active and curious mind and was an avid reader, she loved the game show “Jeopardy” and anyone who knew her well, knew not to call between 7:00 and 7:30 pm. When not watching Jeopardy, the TV was perpetually on British period dramas or HGTV. Her deep love of decorating and interior design was legendary within the family and she did her best to pass on good fashion sense to her children. One of her proudest accomplishments was that her middle child, Christopher, never purchased a black leather couch for his bachelor pad and actually had color on the walls of his apartment. Another joy in her life was watching her grandsons sing and perform on stage, and tried never to miss a performance or it had to be videotaped! She was adored by all five of her grandsons.

In addition to her husband, Neil, Ann leaves behind her children Steven Gaunya (Heather), Christopher Gaunya (Christie Clovis) and Jennifer Cummings, and favorite son-in-law John Cummings; her grandchildren: Paul Gaunya (Tina), Daniel Gaunya (Trisha), Jonathan Gaunya (Miguel), Bailey Cummings, Nolan Cummings; great grandson Benjamin Gaunya, as well as, numerous nieces and nephews, whom she adored as well as many dear friends. She was predeceased by her 5 sisters, Dorothy Butcher, Mildred Kaercher, Gloria Kojabash, Muriel Hansen, and Eileen Acker (the Fowler girls), her oldest brother William “Bill” Fowler, and nephews Mark Kojabash and Richard Hansen. She is survived by her youngest brother Earl Fowler. 

Family and friends are invited to pay their respects on Thursday, August 1, 2024 from 8 a.m. to 9:15 a.m. at the Alderson-Ford Funeral Home, 615 S. Main St., Cheshire. The funeral procession will leave the funeral home at 9:30 for a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. at St. Bridget of Sweden Parish/St. Bridget Church, 175 Main St., Cheshire. Burial will follow at All Saints Cemetery, 700 Middletown Ave., North Haven. 

Our family would like to thank the numerous health care workers at Midstate and Gaylord Hospitals and Elim Park Health Care and Rehabilitation for the amazing love and care they showed her in her final days. Memorial contributions may be made to: Gaylord Hospital at https://giving.gaylord.org/give-now.