Edna Frances Urbanski (nee Romuk) passed away peacefully on March 1, 2023 at Benchmark of Hamden, Connecticut, at the age of 98. A long-time resident of North Haven, Connecticut, Edna was born on May 12, 1924 in the Fair Haven section of New Haven, Connecticut, to Kazimiera and Ludwik Romuk. She graduated from Hillhouse High School cum laude and received a full scholarship to attend Arnold College of Health and Physical Education (now part of the University of Bridgeport) where she received her B.S. degree in 1946. Her career as a Physical Education Teacher was at Noah Webster School in Hartford, Hillhouse High in New Haven, Robert Early Jr. High in Wallingford, then for 20 years at North Haven High School and 5 years at Ridge Road Elementary School. Edna married John Frank Urbanski (d. 1998) in 1955. She enrolled in the Masters of Physical Education program at the University of Bridgeport, where she graduated in 1967. She completed her 6th Year at Southern Connecticut State University in 1970, and received a Certificate in Gerontology at Gateway Community College. Edna had a passion for sports, inspiring many young people to participate to their fullest potential. Edna was a particularly strong and vocal advocate for the value of sports programs for women and girls. She was inducted into the North Haven Sports Hall of Fame in 2004. Her own participation in sports increased after she retired: she participated in the Connecticut Senior Games every year since 1993, winning the prestigious award of Senior Athlete of the Year in 2007, at the age of 86. As well, Edna participated in all of the biennial National Senior Games, traveling all over the United States to compete in Badminton and/or Golf tournaments, winning several Gold, Silver and Bronze medals: 1993 in Seattle, Washington; 1995 in Tucson, Arizona; 1997 in San Antonio, Texas; 1999 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana; 2001 in Orlando, Florida; 2003 in Hampton Roads, Virginia; 2005 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; 2007 in Louisville, Kentucky. In addition, she competed in California, Oregon, Bermuda, and in Niagara Falls, Canada. Edna was a woman of faith. She loved attending her prayer group meetings and going on retreats at several Catholic retreat centers. She sang in an ecumenical choir for a production of “The Witness”, which performed all over Connecticut. Edna was the beloved mother of four children: Felicia (Larry Squire), John, Ludwik, and Walter. She was the youngest and last of the “Romuk sisters”, which included Anna, Helen, Stella, Ludwika, and Victoria. She leaves several nieces and nephews, great nieces and great nephews.
Her family will receive relatives and friends at Church of the Resurrection, 115 Pond Hill Road, Wallingford on Monday, March 13th from 10:00 to 11:00 AM. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11:00. Interment will follow in All Saints Cemetery. As expressions of sympathy, donations to the Alzheimer’s Association, 200 Executive Blvd., Suite 4B, Southington, CT 06489, or to the North Haven Athletic Association c/o North Haven High School, 221 Elm St., North Haven, CT 06473 would be appreciated by the family.
Deepest sympathy to the Urbanski family.
Edna was a wonderful teacher and strong advocate for all students to improve their physical skills whatever level of ability.
Edna was a mentor to me (Lou) and it was a pleasure to have worked with her for many years at North Haven High School.
Rosanna and I wish her family to know that she had given her all as a teacher and friend to the North Haven community.
May she rest in peace.
Lou and Rosanna Preziosi
Edna was a true “Trailblazer” during the late ’60’s and early ’70’s (and frankly, all her life) for women’s equality in education. She was my “master teacher” at NHHS during my senior student-teaching experience and assigned me the overwhelming task of starting a girls’ track and field team. Little did I realize then, how that opportunity Edna offered me would shape my career. The coaches of women’s sports were not paid for their time and expertise back then, but with Title IX legislation looming, Enda led the fight for us to be recognized for our value. I can’t thank her enough for the positive influence she had in my life, and in the lives of so many that she touched as an advocate and an educator.
My sympathy to the Urbanski family and heartfelt thanks to Edna.
May she rest in peace.
Lauren Anderson, NHHS ’67-’77
U.R.I., 1977-2008
I fondly remember Mrs. Urbanski from high school. She taught great classes and left me with great memories. My condolences to her family.
Dear Felicia, and all family,
I am so sorry for your loss!
Though I always knew your mother was very unique, reading this made me say: “Wow!!”
She was one of a kind! At a time when women/our mothers and young women/us were trying to figure out who we were at that time, and how we fit in, YOUR mother was already WORLDS AHEAD, not giving a thought to it and being her TRUE SELF!
She touched all of us!
I know it’s nice to hear all of that for all of you, but as her children, you still feel that loss and that ache. I used to think I had some perfect words for people who lost their loved ones but, when I lost my parents, I learned that there are no words, perfect or otherwise.
It’s definitely learning a new way of living, but just know, they are always in your heart. ❤️