Kathlyn (Ryan) Kraffmiller

Kathlyn Travers Ryan (Kathy) Kraffmiller of Milford, CT, age 85, passed into eternal life on January 16, 2018 at Milford Hospital surrounded by her beloved family.

Born in November 30, 1932 in New Haven, the oldest child of the late Catherine Travers and Joseph F. Ryan, Kathy was also predeceased by her beloved husband of 59 years, Stephen Edward Kraffmiller. She is survived by daughter Jane Marie and son-in-law Michael Cuppernull of Milford, son Stephen Edward Jr. and daughter-in-law Mary Ann Carberry of Waltham, MA, and daughter Ellen Marie of Arlington, MA. She was predeceased by her daughter Mary Lyn Kraffmiller Flyte and survived by son-in-law Robert Flyte of Shelton, CT. She is survived by her grandchildren, Michael, Kevin, Ashley and her husband Patrick Wright, Catherine, Patrick, Ryan, Michael, and Anna.

She was predeceased by her parents-in-law Stephen F. Kraffmiller and Emma Abels, brothers Joseph F. (Bud) Ryan, Jr., Raymond J. Ryan, sister Patricia Ryan Gerace and brother-in-law Robert A. Gerace. She is survived by brother James B. Ryan, sisters-in-law C. Suzanne Ryan, Janet Mumaw Ryan, Barbara Bojko Ryan and numerous nieces and nephews.

Kathy graduated from Hillhouse High School in 1950, earning an Honors Diploma. According to her yearbook she won a Free Throw contest as a Sophomore and worked on the school yearbook in her Junior and Senior years. After high school she went to work at the New Haven Telephone Company to help support her family. Because she was “a child of the depression” she had a lifelong dedication to helping the less fortunate and a passionate commitment to social justice.

In 1958 she married the love of her life, Steve, at Sacred Heart Church in New Haven. They settled in Milford where they raised four children. Kathy was a dedicated PTA member at Pumpkin Delight School where her children attended. She served as Den Mother to her daughters’ Girl Scout Troops and as “Cookie Mom”, we found our entire garage, back porch, dining room and living room filled with cases of cookies to be distributed to the girls.

She was dedicated to her adopted hometown of Milford, and volunteered in many local organizations.  She was an active member of Church Women United for many years, and served on the Milford Library Board. Alongside her husband Steve, she helped document over 75 public access points to Milford’s coastal and river waterways and about 150 parcels of open space for Milford’s Open Space Inventory. She was also a member of Milford Trees, dedicated to the “Greening of Milford”.

She was an avid genealogist, researching her family tree back many generations and connecting with many living distant relatives in Ireland and across the U.S. She was a charter member of the Irish Heritage Society of Milford, and an active member of the Connecticut Irish American Heritage Society.  

Throughout her life, Kathy was blessed with many special groups of friends that she cherished: the Sycamore Road Sewing Circle, the CFM group, the “Pumpkin Ladies” from her PTA days at Pumpkin Delight School, her Irish Book Club friends from the Milford Irish Club, and her friends from the Monday morning healing Mass at St James.

She lived and laughed and loved and left. And the world will never be the same.

In lieu of flowers please make donations to the charity of one’s choice or

Beth-El Shelter and Soup Kitchen

90 New Haven Avenue, Milford, CT 06460

Or

Saint James Church "Care of Our Father's House"

2070 Main Street, Stratford, CT 06615

The family would like to thank the staff of Milford Hospital and especially Dr. Kim for the compassionate care they provided to Kathy.

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