Obituary of Katherine Ziu

Katherine (Christo) Ziu, age 96, of Fairfield passed away peacefully on Monday, August 2, 2021, at Bridgeport Hospital surrounded by her loving family. She was the beloved wife of the late Themistocli "Mitch" Ziu. Born in the village of Polena, Albania, on June 24, 1925, she was a daughter of the late Peter and Elizabeth (Mustka) Christo. She came to America in 1930 and lived in Worcester, Massachusetts, until 1946. "Kay" had to quit school early to help support her family because her father had become ill after serving in World War I. Kay worked for the Table Talk Pie Company from 1940 to until 1946 where she developed her love of baking. She married the love of her life "Mitch" in 1946. Kay also worked at the American Optical Company in Southbridge from 1949 to 1961 until she moved to Fairfield. There she was hired by the Fairfield Public School System, where she worked proudly as a cook manager for many years before her retirement at the age of 80 years old.

She was a woman of great faith and a long-time devoted member of the St. Dimitrie Romanian Orthodox Church, where she was also a member of their Ladies Auxiliary and the St. Dimitrie Seniors. She loved to crochet, read and win at bingo. Her endless amount of energy was occupied with cooking and baking, and she was known for her famous Greek cookies, pita, homemade bread, and spaghetti and meatballs. She was a savvy shopper, enjoyed gardening, and loved to tell stories about her life and family. Her greatest enjoyment, however, was found in the time she spent with her children and grandchildren, whom she just adored. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her, including her devoted aide Kesanya.

Survivors include her loving children, Virginia Seccombe of Ridgefield; Barbara McFarland of Austin, TX; Patricia Berarducci and her husband Tom of North Haven; Chris Ziu and his wife Abby of St. Augustine, FL; Sandra Bennett and her husband Mark of Austin, TX; James Ziu and his wife Cheryl of Charlotte, NC; Tim Ziu of Boston, MA; and Debra Bauer and her husband David of Wilton; her cherished grandchildren, Sarah Pettitt and her husband Devon; Rob McFarland and his wife Kate; Kate Stein and her husband Jeremy; Laurie Berarducci; Amy Berarducci; Chelsea Ziu and her husband Dan; Tessa Ziu; Maddox Ziu; Jackson Bennett; Maverick Bennett; Delilah Bennett; and Samantha Bauer; her adored great grandchildren, Reese and Graeme Pettitt; and Evie and Jacob Stein; her brothers, John Christo and his wife Pat of Trumbull; and Steve Christo and his wife Pat of Newtown; including many nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband, Mitch, she was also predeceased by her brother, Tom Christo, and sister, Clanthi Seferi.

Friends may greet the family on Saturday, August 7, 2021, from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. at St. Dimitrie Romanian Orthodox Church, 504 Sport Hill Rd., Easton. Funeral services will begin at 11:00 a.m. Burial will follow in Lawncroft Cemetery, Fairfield.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Feed the Children, www.feedthechildren.org