Erika Rekofsky, 91, former longtime resident of Norwalk, died peacefully on September 20 at Middlebury Convalescent Home. She was born in Kiev, Ukraine, on August 24, 1926, the youngest child of Clara and Arved Guslawski.

Her son Stanley Rekofsky and wife Maryann of Sandy Hook; her daughter Agnes Wieczorek and husband Edward of Newtown; her grandchildren, Michelle Rekofsky, Christopher Rekofsky, and Annette Womack and her husband Armando; a great-granddaughter; and several nieces and their families survive her.

A niece, two nephews, her brother, and her sister predeceased her.

Mrs Rekofsky battled Alzheimer's for many years and later also fought bravely against cancer. Her loved ones say that throughout it all she kept her dazzling smile, a cheerful song for all to hear as long as she had strength to sing, and was a model of defiance in the face of debilitating illness.

She left war-torn Europe and came to the United States where she met the love of her life, her husband Stanley, who predeceased her after more than 50 years of loving marriage. Even as her Alzheimer's progressed, she vowed to always remember him and she did.

She was a kind and caring mom, grandmother, and great-grandmother; as well as a spectacular cookie-baking, craft-making homemaker who truly made her home a welcoming haven for her family.

Her many hobbies included gardening, crocheting, knitting, sewing, embroidery, canning home-grown fruits and vegetables, and nature-appreciation walks throughout the seasons. She will be deeply missed and always gratefully remembered by her loved ones.

Heartfelt thanks and appreciation go to Mrs Rekofsky's wonderful home caregiver, Joyce, and to the staff at Middlebury Convalescent Home for the excellent and compassionate care given to Mrs Rekofsky over the last 2½ years.

There will be a service at Hoyt Cognetta Funeral Home, 5 East Wall Street, Norwalk, on Saturday, September 23, at 9:30 am, followed by burial at Riverside Cemetery, Norwalk.

The family asks in lieu of flowers that memorial contributions may be made to Alzheimer's Association at alz.org or to Middlebury Convalescent Home at middleburyconvalescenthomeandrehab.com.

For more information, visit norwalkfh.com.