Harriet Frances (Keefe) Szarka, 85, of Sandy Hook, beloved wife of the late Zoltan G. Szarka, died peacefully on July 30, after a long and valiant battle with cancer. Born in Derby, on February 26, 1931, she was the daughter of the late Marion (Oresky) and Edward Keefe. She married her loving husband "Zoli" in 1957, and raised her family in Sandy Hook, where she resided for the last 50 years.

Her son Louis Szarka, Esq, of Sandy Hook; and her daughter Diane Phelan and her husband, Edward, of West Hartford survive her. She will be greatly missed by her grandchildren Haley Szarka and Drew Szarka of Sandy Hook, Lindsey Phelan of Manchester, N.H., Ryan Phelan of State College, Penn., and Kiley Phelan of West Hartford. Her brother Edward Keefe and his wife, Anna, of Fairfax, Va.; several nieces and nephews; and her godson survive her. Her husband, who passed away in October 2015, her sister Rosalie Banahan, and her brother-in-law Gerard Banahan predeceased her.

Mrs Szarka attended Derby High School and Ansonia Business School. Her compassion for the elderly led her to St Joseph's Manor in Trumbull, where she worked as a nursing assistant for close to 25 years.

A quiet and loving woman, she spent most of her free time over the last 20 years with her family. She loved watching the UConn women's and men's basketball, New York Giants, and Red Sox teams with her husband, as well as traveling to and attending Christian Crusades. She also loved drawing, doing arts and crafts, and baking desserts with her grandchildren, while also enjoying her favorite hobbies like knitting and crocheting. Her love, compassion, and always unique Christmas gifts will be sadly missed.

Her family would like to thank Dr Jessica Clement and her team at UConn for their care and support, Connecticut Hospice in Norwalk for the care of Mrs Szarka at home, and the team at Connecticut Hospice in Branford for their brief but tender care.

A private Mass will be held. There will be no calling hours.