Verna Ruth (Leighton) Ysewyn, 75, of Ledyard, passed away on January 5, 2006, at Lawrence and Memorial Hospital after a courageous two-month battle with cancer.
Verna was born October 23, 1930, In Nashua, New Hampshire. She was the daughter of the late Vernon Tracy and Isabella Ruth (Hamel) Leighton.
After Graduation from high school, she served as a member of the Women’s Army Air Corps during the Korean War from 1951-1954. On February 5, 1955 she was united in marriage to Charles Ysewyn, whom she had met in Europe while they were both serving in the military.
Verna throughly embraced the opportunity to spend time with family and friends, She leaves to cherish her memory, her beloved husband, Charles; her daughters Karen Ysewyn, of Ledyard; Linda Ysewyn of Alexandria, VA; Janet Ysewyn and her partner Shari Carlson; son Douglas Ysewyn and his wife Maureen of Ledyard; and daughter Laura Ostrowski and her husband Michael, of South Windsor, CT, her brother Homer Curtis and his wife Elizabeth Leighton, of Unionville, ME. Her extended family includes 8 grandchildren, several nieces and nephews and Christopher King of Ledyard.
Verna had a multitude of hobbies she was an avid card player and General Hospital Fan, She enjoyed cheering on the New England Patriots and the Duke Blue Devils, she loved to travel, touring all of Europe and spending winters in North Myrtle Beach, SC and summers in Milbridge, ME. Verna especially enjoyed meeting friends for lunch, watching movies with a bag of popcorn at her side (even though she would inevitably fall asleep while watching the opening credits). From a very young age she had a love of both water and seafood. Lobster was her favorite, finished off with chocolate ice cream. Verna’s sense of humor and hardy New England spirit were gifts that she kept to the end.
Verna's family will greet relatives and friends at The Dinoto Funeral Home, 17 Pearl Street, Historic downtown Mystic on Tuesday from 4:30-7:30pm. A Memorial Service will be held on Wednesday at 11am at St David’s Episcopal Church, Gales Ferry.
At a later time, the internment of ashes will be at a family plot in Unionville, ME as well as at St. Stephen’s Memorial Garden in North Myrtle Beach, SC.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Verna’s name to Lawrence and Memorial Hospital, 6th floor Oncology Ward, 365 Montaulk Avenue, New London, CT06320.
To help celebrate her life, her family invites everyone to share memories of Verna either by clicking the "To Send a Message of Remembrance/Condolence" link below or to share your memory with the family during the visitation on Tuesday.