Obituary of Lydia J. Bilanin

Lydia J. (Cybul) Bilanin of Oxford, who for decades, along with her husband Joseph, operated the Oxford Pharmacy of Oxford, passed away at home on Saturday, January 23, 2016. Mrs. Bilanin was born January 27, 1928 in Bridgeport, and was the last surviving child of John and Anna (Abramchik) Cybul, having been predeceased by a brother, John Cybul, and five sisters, Nadia Boroway, Olga Kurimsky, Nina Novinsky, Helen Hanewicz and Sophie Fabula as well as her husband Joseph. She graduated from Harding High School and the University of Connecticut School of Pharmacy. Lydia began her pharmacy career at Golden’s Drug Store on the corner of East Main Street and Berkshire Avenue on the East Side of Bridgeport. In 1951, she married Joseph E. Bilanin of Waterbury and upon moving to Oxford, opened the Oxford Pharmacy. She and her husband traveled extensively including several world cruises. She loved cooking, especially her traditional Russian Easter delicacies and hosted numerous memorable gatherings for her beloved family. She was a communicant of Three Saints Orthodox Church of Ansonia. She was predeceased by her husband in 2009 and is survived by numerous nieces and nephews including: Dorothy Tinsley of Fairfield, Richard Kurimsky (Karen) of Oxford, Stephen Kurimsky (Mitchell) of Bridgeport, George Kurimsky (Nancy) of Shelton, John and Gregory Cybul of Trumbull, Karen Ivers of Stratford, Deborah McGrath (Rick) of Newtown, John Hanewicz (Kathy) of Seymour and Susan Garbatini (Mark) of Oxford, as well as numerous great and great-great nieces, nephews and godchildren. The family wishes to thank Katie Wronska and Trina Asiedu for their years of devoted service and attention to Lydia. Funeral services will take place from the Wakelee Memorial Funeral Home, 167 Wakelee Ave., Ansonia, on Saturday, January 30, 2016 at 9:30 AM. A Funeral Service will be held at 10:30 AM in Three Saints Orthodox Church, 26 Howard Ave., Ansonia. Burial alongside her husband will directly follow in Lakeview Cemetery, Bridgeport. Family and friends may call at the funeral home on Friday, January 29, 2016, from 3:00 to 6:00 PM, Panikhida at 5:45 PM. Online condolences may be made at www.wakeleememorial.com.