Marie Anne Papp, age 99, of Newtown, passed away peacefully on January 2, 2025. Her presence and quiet wit will surely be missed.

Born in Gilly, Belgium to Armand François Joseph Anème and Aurore Ghislaine Jeanne Frère, Marie Anne Justine Armande Ghislaine Anème used the nickname, Mimie.

It was in Belgium during WWII that Mimie met her beloved husband, Anthony Papp, nine years her senior, while he was stationed across the street from her place of employment. Excited to begin their life together, they wed in May 1946 and at the age of 21 she left her native country and began the journey with Anthony via ship to the United States of America, arriving in August 1946. She became a US citizen and started her first job as a clerk typist for Sikorsky Aircraft.

As a Trumbull resident for 46 years, Mimie held jobs in both the Purchasing Department and the Health Department for the Town of Trumbull and retired at the age of 50.

In 2001, along with her husband, she relocated to an in-law apartment at the Newtown home of her daughter Jo-Ann and son-in-law, Roger. “I now have 3 windows to clean instead of 15,” she remarked. In her later years, she appreciated having Roger as her “personal chef.” He ensured she had delicious balanced meals and her favorite dessert, Belgian chocolate. This multi-generation home created a loving environment where she could enjoy daily time with her youngest grandchild, Mackenzie. Mimie resided there for 23 years, until her passing.

Mimie was an avid seamstress, sewing all her daughter’s clothes for many years. Her love of crafts was evident in the beautiful crochet, needlepoint, macramé, and knitted masterpieces she created and gifted. She extended her kindness and compassion by giving back to the local community through the Prayer Shawl Ministry at St Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Newtown.

Mimie was a master baker. Always from scratch. Always unsalted butter. Never margarine: Belgian Galettes, Langue de Chat cookies, custard and rice pudding pies, Ladyfingers cake, apple cake, rum balls with that extra dash of rum, banana bread, and chocolate chip cookies were among her favorites. The aroma of fresh-baked treats emanated from her kitchen daily.

Mimie participated in the annual Senior Olympics Connecticut, the National Senior Olympics, and served on the event planning committee with her husband. They spent summer days enjoying Fairfield Beach with their dear friends, Julienne and Bill Hendricks. These two grande dames Belges would chat non-stop in French. Friday nights were spent socializing at the local homes of a small circle of friends which included other Belgian women who married American servicemen. More conversations in French while sipping whiskey sours.

Her greatest joy was spending time with family. Mimie enjoyed the visits with her grandchildren and great grandchildren; she would bake treats and knit sweaters for them.

She was well-traveled, and she especially cherished the memories of her trip to Alaska with her granddaughter, Elizabeth. There were many visits to Belgium, which included extended road trips through Europe, and the annual summer vacation in Dennis Port, Mass. (Cape Cod) with the entire family and dear friends. She didn’t hesitate to enter the often chilly water of the Atlantic Ocean to be near her grandchildren. She embraced life’s simplest pleasures, always offered to babysit and/or drive her grandkids to their activities, and she loved to attend their milestone celebrations. “I wouldn’t trade that time with them for anything.”

Mimie was predeceased by her sister, Vélina Petit (Anème); her loving husband of 58 years, Anthony (2005); her beloved son, Claude (2003); and adored great grandson, Anthony (2024).

She is survived by her daughter, Jo-Ann Maude (Papp) and her husband Roger; her grandchildren, Joseph Papp and his wife Judith; Elizabeth Putnam (Papp) and her husband Cale; Mackenzie Maude; and three great-grandchildren, Daniel, Anna, and Clara Papp.

Friends may greet the family on Tuesday, January 7, from 3:30-7 pm, at Spadaccino and Leo P. Gallagher & Son Community Funeral Home, 315 Monroe Turnpike in Monroe. A Funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday, January 8, at 10:30 am, at St Rose of Lima Catholic Church, with burial to follow at St Rose Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made in memory of her son, Claude Papp, to The Dana Farber Jimmy Fund (danafarber.jimmyfund.org/ Under the Neurological tab, please select “Adult — Brain Tumor”) or in memory of her great-grandchild, Anthony Putnam, at ecotarium.org/change-the-world/