QUINEBAUG, CT – Charlotte A. (Stalec) Lenky, 88, a registered nurse and constable in the town, died Thursday, May 10, 2012 in Westview Health Care Center, Dayville, after an illness. Her husband of 60 years, Bernard W. Lenky, died in 2009.
She leaves 2 sons, John Lenky and his wife Dianne of North Grosvenordale, and Paul Lenky of Quinebaug; 3 grandchildren, Crystal of Christchurch, New Zealand, and Nathaniel and Theodore of North Grosvenordale; a brother, Edwin G. Stalec of Webster, MA; and nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her sisters Helen Marcotte, Susan Krawczyk and Frances Bonczek.
She was born and raised in Webster, the daughter of Frank and Julia (Pyzikiewicz) Stalec. She moved to Quinebaug in 1949. She graduated from St. Joseph Elementary School and then from Bartlett High School in 1942. She received her certificate as a registered nurse from Worcester City Hospital School of Nursing in 1947. She completed further studies in psychology and counseling at Worcester State College and at Assumption College, both in Worcester, MA.
Mrs. Lenky began her nursing career as a US Cadet Nurse during World War II at Worcester City Hospital. She worked at Hubbard Regional Hospital in Webster, MA for 12 years, for the Putnam Visiting Nurse Association for 16 years and at Rectory School in Pomfret for over 5 years. She also was a relief nurse in the Woodstock, Putnam and Thompson school systems. She worked as a security guard at Thompson International Speedway in Thompson for over 20 years.
She was a member of Saint Stephen’s Church, where she served as a lector and Eucharistic minister. She also served on several committees at the church and taught Christian Doctrine for 5 years. She completed the course of study at the Northeast Regional Law Enforcement Training Program. She was appointed a constable of the town of Thompson in 1954 and had been elected as constable since 1971. She was past president of the Eastern Connecticut Police Association (she had the distinction of being the first woman to hold that position in a male organization), a past member of the Southern Mass. Police Association. She was a member of the National Rifle Association.
She was a former 20 year member of the American Red Cross and was an instructor for First Aid, Advanced First Aid, Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation, as well as an instructor in Home Nursing and for nurses at the bloodmobile program in Putnam. She was welfare chairman for the Salvation Army in the Putnam area for 15 years. She also belonged to the Thompson Republican Town Committee, serving as its secretary for many years. She was a notary public in Connecticut, a past member of the National Association of Notaries and a past member of the American Association of Notaries.
She loved crafts, especially sewing, knitting, crocheting, tatting, mending and restoring dolls. She studied for and earned a Diploma in Doll Technology.
The funeral will be held at 10:30 AM Monday, May 14, in Saint Stephen’s Church, corner of Rts 131 and 197, Quinebaug (please meet at the church). Burial will be in Saint Joseph Garden of Peace, Webster. There are no calling hours. She requested that instead of flowers, donations be made to the Quinebaug Volunteer Fire Department, PO Box 144, Quinebaug, CT. Arrangements are under the direction of Sitkowski & Malboeuf Funeral Home, 340 School St., Webster, MA.