Edythe B. Izard

Cheshire - Edythe “Diddy” Izard, 100, passed away on Tuesday, March 7, 2023, at MidState Medical Center.  She was the wife of the late Richard L. Izard, Sr.

Mrs. Izard was born May 17, 1922, in Staten Island, NY, the daughter of the late Osmund and Karen (Terjeson) Berntsen. She grew up in the thick of Staten Island’s Norwegian community and was proud of her heritage. She graduated from Curtis High School in 1939 and then attended the Berkley School in Manhattan where she studied to become a secretary.  She worked for various employers in Manhatten but enjoyed her time at IBM the most, having obtained the position of Executive Secretary for the Vice-President and General Manager.

In 1958, her husband took a new job and the family moved to Connecticut, settling in Cheshire.  A longtime member of the Cheshire Lutheran Church, Mrs. Izard sang in the choir, taught Sunday School, and served on the church Special Events committee. 

As a self-taught stained-glass artist, she opened Honey Pot Enterprises in the early 1970s.  She designed and made glass pieces sold at specialty gift shops, created catalogs, and taught classes.

Mrs. Izard is survived by her son David Izard and his wife Christine; her daughters Holly Izard and Carol I. DeLapp and her husband Gregory; her grandchildren Erik Izard, Aaron Paterson, Colin Paterson, Paul DeLapp, Patrick DeLapp, Connor Izard, Matthew Izard, and Sophia Izard.  In addition to her husband and her parents, she is predeceased by her son Richard Jr. and daughter-in-law Kristin.