Nina M. Kuchma

Nina Maksimena Kuchma, age 96, of Stratford, wife of the late Philip Kuchma Sr., passed peacefully from her life on earth to join her Lord and loved ones in heaven on Wednesday, March 30, 2022. Born on October 7th or 8th, 1925 in New York City, Nina was the daughter of Stepan and Eva Maksimena, and sister to Helen Armao, Olga (& Henry) Shostchuk, Alexander Maksimena, and Steve Maximena who all predeceased her. Nina met and married her beloved husband Phil in 1946. They started their family in Bridgeport, Connecticut, then moved to Stratford where they raised their children and became part of their community. Nina was a longtime member of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of St. Mary’s Protection and a member and officer of the Church Sisterhood and the Orthodox Women’s Council of Greater Bridgeport and was loved by her church family. As well as working at Raybestos, Al’s Dry Cleaning and Shoe Repair, Dean’s Cleaners, and Brooks Drugs while raising her family, after her husband’s death, Nina joined the communication department at St. Vincent’s Medical Center in Bridgeport, sharing a friendly greeting and warm smile with those who passed the information desk in the lobby throughout the day. Upon her retirement, Nina became an active member of the St. Vincent’s retirees and later was active with the Baldwin Center and the Elm Terrace Seniors community, enjoying Bingo, monthly birthday celebrations, and friendly visits with her neighbors. At 96 years old, Nina was the matriarch in her family, always remembering birthdays and sharing Christmas greetings with family and friends who became her family. She enjoyed pictures and messages in cards and letters and on Facebook and was always happy to see new pictures arrive on her digital frame. She shared her crochet and knitting talent through handmade gifts and touched the lives of many who never met her by donating dozens of scarves to the community scarf project and hundreds of newborn hats to hospital nurseries. Nina is survived by her children Eve (Kuchma) and Richard Nucifora of Milford, Philip and Mary Beth (Masulli) Kuchma of Bridgeport, Stefanie Kuchma and Dennis Wade of Ansonia, and Mary Kuchma Porter of Monroe. She was predeceased by her daughter Jayne Kuchma and son-in-law, Bill Porter. She was a loving Baba to, and will be dearly missed by, her grandchildren Jennie-Rebecca (Nucifora) Maroney, Denise (Nucifora) & Daniel Moller, Kate Porter, Jillian (Porter) & Jonathan Fifer, William & Carolan (Chanko) Porter, Colleen (Porter) & Derek McQuay, and Maggie (Porter) & Juan Rodriguez. She will be remembered and stories will be cherished by her great-grandchildren Zach, Max, & Nate Moller, Clark Porter, and Adeline & Maeve McQuay, and her nieces and nephews, greats and grands, and many friends who were treated like family over the years. She gave the best hugs! Calling hours will be held on Tuesday, April 5, 4:00 – 7:00 PM at Adzima Funeral Home, Paradise Green Place in Stratford. Requiem funeral services will be held at the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of St. Mary’s Protection, 10 Oakwood St., Bridgeport at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, April 6 followed by burial at St. John’s Cemetery in Stratford at 11:15. At Nina’s request, her family asks that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to her church. Those who are not fully vaccinated and boosted against the Covid virus are asked to kindly wear masks while indoors and whenever in close contact. For more information or to make an online condolence, please visit www.adzimafuneralhome.com