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05/26/2021 12:00 AM


Ivoryton

Darcy (Gorham) Chmielewski of Ivoryton passed away on April 25 at the age of 57. She was born in Natick, Massachusetts, the daughter of Francis “Skip” and Marcia Gorham. The family lived in Scituate, Massachusetts, until moving to Old Lyme in Darcy’s teen years.

Darcy met her husband, Ken, on her 21st birthday while both were attending the University of Connecticut. Shortly after graduation, the college sweethearts married and spent the next 34 years together, enjoying each other’s company while sharing the joys (and challenges) that come with raising three daughters and building a supportive and loving family. The last year and a half blessed them with two grandchildren, allowing Darcy to finally fill her much sought after role as “Grammy,” while showering her grandbabies with love.

Darcy enjoyed a 21-year career with Webster Bank, where she found great satisfaction in her role as a branch manager. Over the years, she managed branches in Old Lyme, Branford, and Essex. Her passion for helping people thrived there while she developed relationships and friendships with co-workers and customers which she cherished dearly.

Darcy was diagnosed with brain cancer in 2016, and for the next four years she navigated her journey with equal parts tenacity and grace. She never referred to it as a “battle.” Instead, she chose to live every day with an emboldened appreciation for life and most importantly, for the people in her life. Those who knew her will most likely remember her for her kindness and compassion as well as her quirkiness, her sense of humor, her boundless energy, and her infectious smile.

Darcy is survived by her husband Ken Chmielewski of Ivoryton and their three daughters and their partners, Jennifer Chmielewski and Rory Coleman, Melanie Chmielewski and Bobby Harrington, and Katie Chmielewski and Ren Montooth, as well as two grandchildren, Aiden Chmielewski and Riley Harrington. She is also survived by her four siblings and their spouses, Cathy, Francis “Chip” and his wife Julie, Stephen, and Kevin and his wife Kristin; her mother-in-law, Theresa Chmielewski; in-laws Ed and his wife Susan and Karen and her husband Scott; and nine nieces and nephews.

Darcy and Ken’s three dogs, Daisy, Charlie, and Louie, will miss their Alpha.

A private family service was held in her memory and a celebration of Darcy’s life is being planned for later this summer.

In lieu of flowers, offerings in Darcy’s memory can be made to: The Jimmy Fund or All Saints Episcopal Church at 129 Main Street, Ivoryton, CT 06442 (she really loved that “Little Church on the Hill”).

To share a memory of Darcy or send a condolence to her family, please visit www.rwwfh.com. Arrangements are in the care of the Robinson, Wright & Weymer Funeral Home in Centerbrook.