Kowalski, Beatrice G.

Beatrice Giacco Kowalski, of Wallingford, passed away peacefully, at home, surrounded by her loving family, on Tuesday, April 20, 2021. She was the beloved wife of the late Theodore J. Kowalski, her life-long love and companion.

She was born in Meriden, Connecticut, the daughter of the late Salvatore and Maria

Giacco.

Bea was, first and foremost, a loving wife, mother and grandmother, always positive and supportive to all who had the joy of her love and friendship. Bea was devoted to her family, her community, and her country. She was, like many of her generation, multi-talented, strong, accomplished, and a trailblazer.

She graduated from Pequod Business School and attended the University of New Haven.

Bea devoted many hours to public service. She served in numerous volunteer positions during her life, and was very active in civic organizations. She was a PTA president at Moses Y Beach School and a member of the PTO at Holy Trinity School; she was a member of the Wallingford Business and Professional Women's Club, Chair of the Legislative Committee; she was a life-long parishioner of the Most Holy Trinity Church in Wallingford.

Professionally, Bea had an illustrious record of government and political service. A former Connecticut Commissioner of the Division of Special Revenue, 19711979, Bea had a unique knowledge and understanding of the workings of State Government Agencies, the State Legislature and the Executive Branch. Further, she had a long-standing history of political involvement: Volunteering, working and developing strong professional relationships at the local, state and federal level with members of both the Republican and Democratic parties.

Appointed by former Governor Thomas Meskill, Bea served as both Chairperson and Vice-Chair of the Gaming Commission. Charged with the task of developing and regulating Connecticut's lottery, jai alai games and dog track. Bea, along with 8 commission members, developed the regulations and initial gaming ventures within the State of Connecticut. She was reappointed to serve a second term. The friendships and professional relationships that she developed through politics were life-long, and the commissioners worked together in a respectful, bipartisan manner.

She was a former President of the Connecticut Federation of Republican Women. She was a Member of the National Board of Republican Women and a Delegate to the Republican National Convention in 1976. In 1980, she coordinated the Connecticut Campaign for former President

George Herbert Walker Bush. She served as Campaign Coordinator for former Governor Thomas Meskill. Later, she worked as the Campaign Coordinator for former U.S. Senator Lowell Weicker, invited to be a member of his Washington team. Additionally, she served as a State Central Committeewoman, a Wallingford Representative Town Meeting member and Vice-Chair of the Wallingford Republican Town Committee.

Finally, Bea was an officer of The Kowalski Group, LLC. The Connecticut Federation of Business and Professional Women's Clubs, Inc. honored Bea in 1976 for her work as a Commissioner whose achievements enhanced the status of women. Bea was honored in 1999 as Wallingford's Italian-American of the Year for her many accomplishments and contributions to the community and to the state.

Bea was honored when the CT Lottery marked its 30th Birthday, on February 15, 2002, at the Bushnell in Hartford, for the impact she had and for her contributions to its success. In January of 2014, the Connecticut Lottery Corporation Board of Directors, staff and employees honored Bea with a plaque and Certificate of Appreciation. She was thrilled to be in the company of close friends and family for this special occasion.

She is survived by her two daughters, Karen Kowalski Weeks, her son-in-law, Brad; Linda Kowalski, her sonin-law, Mark, her son Ted Kowalski, Jr. his wife, Patricia, and three cherished grandchildren, many dear cousins, nieces and nephews. She was pre-deceased by her loving husband, Ted.

The Kowalski Family would like to thank the Franciscan Home Care and Hospice Care organization for their loving support and care "With a spirit of gentle compassion" in her final months.

During her life she battled numerous cancers, yet through it all, she remained very active always an inspiration to other cancer survivors, her friends and her family.

Her family will receive relatives and friends on Friday, April 30, at 10:30 A.M.- 11:30 A.M. in the Wallingford Funeral Home, 809 North Main Street Extension, Wallingford; funeral services will be held in the funeral home at 11:30 A.M.

Interment will follow at St. John Cemetery. Donations in her memory may be sent to the Make-A-Wish Connecticut, 56 Commerce Drive, Trumbull, CT 06611. www.wallingfordfh.com

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