ZAWOY, VIRGINIA

Virginia Zawoy, 83, of Clinton, Connecticut passed away in the early morning of March 13, 2021 with her family by her side and after suffering from a lengthy illness. She was born on April 13, 1937 in Astoria, New York to Stanley and Eleanor Dusek. It was in Astoria where she met her husband Eugene Zawoy. They were married in 1962 and moved to Clinton that summer. Virginia earned her Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from New York University. Upon her arrival in Clinton, Virginia took an immediate interest in local politics first becoming a member of the Zoning Board of Appeals and later Registrar of Voters, a position she held for 18 years. In 1985, she was elected First Selectman, a position that she held until 1991. Throughout her work for the town and the people of Clinton, Virginia was well known as professional, understanding, and as someone who brought out the best in those around her. In 1990, she was recognized by Catchment Area Council for her contribution to Public Mental Health. Some of her accomplishments during her tenure as First Selectman include initiating the Capital Improvement Program, which helped to bring together town departments to aid in the completion of major infrastructure projects, and the development of the Youth and Family Services Bureau. After her work for the town, Virginia took a position with the University of New Haven as the Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations. In 2001, Virginia was appointed by the Governor to be a member of the Board of Trustees for Community-Technical Colleges. She remained in that position until 2011. In 2004, Virginia was given an Official Citation from the State of Connecticut, General Assembly as the Clinton Republican Town Committee 2004 Distinguished Citizen. In the same year, Virginia also received the Town of Clinton Distinguished Service Award. Virginia always felt that town government was for the people, and if you were lucky enough to be elected, you were to always put the people first. In 2007 through 2008, Virginia served as the President of the Rotary Club of New Haven. She was also Board Member of the West Haven Chamber of Commerce and a member of the local Estuary Transit District, a group which established bus service between Clinton and the surrounding regions. One of Virginia’s most fulfilling roles was Justice of the Peace in the Town of Clinton. Virginia was also an active member of the Vineyard Church of Guilford, and was someone of great faith. Although she achieved much professionally, her greatest roles were that of wife, mother, grandmother and trusted friend.

In addition to her husband Gene, she is survived by her daughter Lori Wells and her husband Bob of N. Branford; her son Kevin Zawoy of Old Saybrook; four grandchildren, Katie and Krista Wells and Nadia and Gabe Zawoy.

Calling hours will be from 1:00 pm to 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 20, 2021, followed by a funeral service at 3:00 p.m. at the Swan Funeral Home, 80 E. Main St., Clinton, CT. www.swanfh.com