Mary Madeline Ploch

Mary Madeline (Wodjenski) Ploch of New Milford, wife of the late Joseph J. Ploch, Sr, died on September 15.

She was born in New Milford on March 12, 1918, daughter of the late Frank and Louise (Zielinski) Wodjenski.

She is survived by her sisters, Gertrude Fritz of Newtown, Elizabeth Orciuch of Shelton; her brother, John Wodjenski of New Milford; her sons, Chris and his wife Cher of Cloverdale, Calif., Patrick of New Milford, and Joe, Jr, and his wife Ruth of Salisbury; daughters, Mary Jo Dix and her husband Jeff of New Milford, and Karen Carey of Torrington; dozens of grandchildren; and several great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her brothers Frank and Joseph, both of New Milford.

Mrs Ploch, along with her husband, was a member of the first graduating class of Saint Francis Xavier School. She attended New Milford High where she excelled in tennis, basketball, and school politics. She went on to earn her bachelor’s degree in nursing from Columbia University and worked at St Vincent’s Hospital in Bridgeport, for the New Milford schools. and for years as the only nurse in the local VNA.

Mrs Ploch and her husband were active members of the St Francis Church congregation for all the healthy years of their lives. In addition to raising their own four children, the Plochs cared for a total of 16 foster children. In their later years she and her husband thoroughly enjoyed getting in the car and taking the “road less traveled.”

A Mass of Christian Burial was held on September 21 at Saint Francis Xavier Church in New Milford. Burial followed at Saint Francis Cemetery on Fort Hill Road in New Milford.

Memorial contributions may be made to the New Milford Visiting Nurse Association, 68 Park Lane Road, New Milford CT 06776.

Arrangements were made by the Lillis Funeral Home, 58 Bridge Street in New Milford.

The Newtown Bee    September 24, 2004