Olga Liteplo Paproski

Dedicated To Ukrainian And

Newtown Communities

Olga Liteplo Paproski, 89, of Newtown died peacefully surrounded by her loving family at the home of her daughter in Wallingford on May 1, after a brave battle with cancer. She was the wife of the late Sam Paproski, a dairy farmer of Castle Hill Farm. She was born in Youngstown, Ohio, on June 13, 1918, a daughter of Maria (Kit) and Ivan Liteplo.

Her family returned to Ukraine when she was 3 years old. She returned to the United States in 1938 to New York City. She became a resident of Newtown 64 years ago when she married Sam Paproski in 1944. She completed her education in Ukraine and continued studies here.

Mrs Paproski was a devoted parishioner of Holy Protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary Ukrainian Catholic Church of Bridgeport and a member of its Sisterhood. She was actively involved in organizations, often serving as an officer. She held memberships in the following Ukrainian organizations: Connecticut State Ukrainian Day Committee, Ukrainian Cultural Organization of Greater Danbury, Ukrainian National Women’s League-Branch 73, League of Ukrainian Catholics, Ukrainian Congress Committee, Ukrainian National Association-Seniors and Branch 414, Ukrainian-American Club, Providence Association.

She also belonged to Connecticut Farm Bureau, Newtown Senior Center, Newtown Democratic Committee, Bethel Extension Service, Dodgingtown Homemakers Club, Dodgingtown Firehouse Ladies’ Auxiliary, and Newtown Mother’s Club.

Mrs Paproski was known for her energy and accomplishments. She was a skilled seamstress and an extremely creative crafter. She worked on the family farm, Castle Hill Farm, with her son, and was proud of her garden and yard. Mrs Paproski also managed the Paproski Tree Farm, making her popular wreaths and kissing balls, and supervised the Castle Hill Farm Pumpkin Patch/Corn Maze.

Known for her intricately decorated Ukrainian Easter Eggs, Pysanky, Mrs Paproski demonstrated and taught the ancient art throughout Fairfield County. For more than 25 years she hosted the annual Ukrainian Festival at her Hattertown Road home each August. She also spearheaded the Dodgingtown Island preservation.

She was recognized for her service to the church and pontiff with the Papal Honors by Pope John Paul II; as Mother of the Year from the Farm Bureau; and by the Connecticut Secretary of the State for her 69 years of service at election polls; and was a Top Exhibitor at the Danbury Fair, among others. 

Mrs Paproski is survived by her daughter, Gloria Horbaty and her husband, Donald, of Wallingford; her son, Stephen Paproski and his wife, Diana, of Newtown; her four grandchildren, Roman and Chrystyna Horbaty, and Stephanie and Shannon Paproski; her brother, Sam Liteplo of Brooklyn, N.Y.; and her sister Stephania Kushnir of Lviv, Ukraine. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her brothers, Walter, Basil, Myroslav, and Ebhan; and sisters Katharyna Kushnir and Malania Liteplo.

Funeral Services were held May 5 at Honan Funeral Home, Newtown, and at Holy Protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary Ukrainian Catholic Church, Bridgeport. Burial was at St John’s Cemetery, Monroe.

Gifts in her memory may be sent to Holy Protection Blessed Virgin Mary Ukrainian Catholic Church, 255 Barnum Avenue, Bridgeport CT 06608; or American Cancer Society, Relay For Life of Newtown, Soup for the Souls Team, c/o Paproski Family, 40 Sugar Lane, Newtown CT 06470.

The Newtown Bee        May 9, 2008