Estela Kuptzin
New London — Estela C. Kuptzin, 92, of New London, passed away on Wednesday, July 4, 2018.
She was born in Caguas, Puerto Rico, on Oct. 14, 1925, the daughter of the late Rafael and Mariana Cintron. Estela was one of seven children and had many fascinating stories of an idyllic childhood on that beautiful Caribbean island. She graduated from Sienna Heights Women’s College in Adrian, Mich., where she obtained a bachelor of science degree with a major in home economics and a minor in biology. After graduating, she married her precious husband of 42 years, the late Albert O. Kuptzin, in Manhattan, N.Y., on March 17, 1950. She earned her master’s degree in education from Willimantic State Teachers College, and for 30 years, she was a very special teacher to students at Claude Chester Elementary and William Seely Schools in Groton. She was a devoted member of Bishop Seabury Anglican Church.
Possessing a true servant’s spirit, the gift of hospitality, and unconditional love, Estela was the heart of her family. She had an incomparable intensity and joy for life. “Firecracker” and “a force” were words used to describe her. How fitting that she left this earth on the Fourth of July!
Estela took tremendous pride in the lifelong friendships she created and maintained with a photographic-like memory of their conversations and adventures together. If you were ever a friend of Estela, you were a friend of “Stella’s” for life!
She loved to entertain, dance, travel, read, pray and spend hours in conversation – especially with her husband, children and beloved grandchildren, who were all blessed to learn many valuable lessons from her extraordinary experiences and lessons of life.
Estela was a strong woman of unwavering faith, believing in the power and strength of Jesus Christ’s love and the beauty and peace that would await her. Left to cherish loving memories are her two sons, Ronald S. and his wife, Cindy, of Mystic and Paul J. of Delray Beach, Fla.; three beautiful grandchildren, Brian, Brooke and Matthew Kuptzin; her sister, Celia Olsen; her “daughters” Cindy Kuptzin, Cynde George, Tracee Adams; and many deeply loved cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.
She was predeceased by brothers, Rafael and Nestor; and sisters, Ana Lopez, Marina Munoz and Maria Elvira Munoz.
A funeral service and reception will be held at Bishop Seabury Anglian Church, Hurlbutt Road, Gales Ferry at a time and date to be announced.
Please visit http://www. byles.com to sign the guest book or to share a memory.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Bishop Seabury Anglican Church in Estela’s honor.