Obituary of Paula J. Zuraw

Paula J. Zuraw, age 67 of Waterbury, died peacefully in Seymour on August 8, 2020, surrounded by her family. Born in Derby on April 16, 1953, she was the daughter of the late Paul and Josephine (Passafiume) Zuraw. Ms. Zuraw was raised in Ansonia, a 1971 graduate of Ansonia High School and earned her Bachelor’s degree in Anthropology and Botany from Connecticut College and her Master’s degree from Indiana University. She worked for the Housatonic Girl Scouts Council and then as a rural Letter Carrier for the USPS in the Middlebury area until the time of her retirement in June. She was a lifelong member of Sts. Peter and Paul Church of Ansonia and has worked and volunteered for many years as a Girl Scout Leader and Camp Counselor throughout the New England area. She is survived by her devoted brother, Joseph (Cynthia) Zuraw of Seymour, a beloved companion, Carol Finlayson of Waterbury; 2 nephews and their wives; Chris (Nicole) Zuraw of Trumbull and Nick (Stephanie) Zuraw of Seymour; 3 grand nephews Jason, Adam and Owen; 2 grand nieces Avery and Emma; many beloved cousins; fellow Girl Scouts, post office colleagues, and neighborhood friends. Paula’s knowledge and love of nature made her the family “expert” on all things outdoorsy, whether it was taking her nephews eagle/bird watching, scouting out various bird and tree/bush species, identifying the good backyard plants versus the poisonous ones or just teaching you what type of knot to use when trying to secure an item to the roof of your car. Special trips with Carol included going to Alaska, crossing the Arctic Circle and becoming a member of the Polar Bear Club, hiking the glaciers of Iceland, or canoeing down many rivers. Her love of the Connecticut Women’s basketball team was evident by their numerous trips to the Women’s Final Four. She loved teaching young scouts, especially her favorite camp songs. Any time she spent with her nephews and their families always contained some “teaching moments” whether or not they wanted to hear it -ha ha ha. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, August 12, 2020, at 10:00 AM in Sts. Peter and Paul Church, 105 Clifton Avenue, Ansonia. Interment will follow in Sts. Peter and Paul Cemetery, Derby. Family and friends may call on Tuesday, August 11, 2020 from 4:00 to 7:00 PM for a walk through visitation at the Wakelee Memorial Funeral Home, 167 Wakelee Avenue, Ansonia. Please be advised that all protocol, screening and social restrictions of the Covid-19 Pandemic will be exercised. Memorial contributions may be made to Connecticut College Women’s volleyball or Women’s crew using https://conncoll.secure.force.com/pmtx/giving. Online condolences may be made at www.wakeleememorial.com.