Candide (Szymanowski) Slinko, 93 of Sandy Hook, died on December 23, 2024, at Griffin Hospital in Derby. She was the widow of Frank Slinko.

Candide was born in New Britain on October 3, 1931, the daughter of Thaddeus and Eleanore (Soczyski) Szymanowski. Residing in New Britain until adulthood, she was a graduate of Teachers College of Connecticut (CCCU), and later the University of Bridgeport. Candide’s career as an elementary school teacher began in Fairfield in 1954 but soon took her abroad to Yokohama, Japan, and Bad Kreuznauch, Germany, where she taught for many years before returning to Bridgeport. Upon returning to the US, she taught third grade at Bryant School until her retirement in 1988. Candide was a member of the Greater Bridgeport Retired Teachers Association (GBRTA).

Candide enjoyed traveling the world, Broadway musicals, or the simplicity of a beautiful sunny day. She loved reading, gardening, sewing at the senior center, sipping a good Manhattan, playing Scrabble with family and friends, doing her crossword puzzles, and traveling to the casinos to play the slot machines.

Candide will be greatly missed by all who knew her, but especially by her three daughters and their families: Stephanie Northrop of Hawaii, Lenore Brown and her husband Steven of Vermont, and Gina Castaldi of Milford; eight grandchildren and six great grandchildren.

In addition to her husband, she was predeceased by her brother Richard Szymanowski.

Candide’s family would like to express heartfelt gratitude to the caring staff at Griffin Hospital, and to the wonderful, warm staff at Wesley Heights in Shelton, where she resided comfortably for the past year.

A celebration of Mrs Slinko’s life will be private and at the convenience of her family.