Norfolk Remembers
Deidre Byrne Deirdre Byrne Escheman, 77, of Challenge, Calif., passed away on July 6, 2025, suddenly and unexpectedly.Deirdre was born Sept. 2, 1947, in Winsted, grew up in Norfolk and attended local schools. She lived a life devoted to her faith, family and dear friends. Her family was truly the light of her life. She […]
Norfolk Remembers
Starling Ransome Lawrence Starling Ransome Lawrence, known to all as Star, died on Aug. 21 in the hospital at the age of 82, due to complications from a fall in April. Starting as an assistant editor at W.W. Norton in 1969, he rose to become editor-in-chief and vice-chairman during his 55-year career there. Known for […]
Norfolk Remembers
Carl Stewart Werne February 7, 1948—June 25, 2025 Carl Werne was exuberant—a brilliant physician, a gifted cellist and a lifelong seeker of connection, beauty and joy. His boundless enthusiasm left an indelible mark on tens of thousands of lives, both in and out of the hospital. Born in New York City to Dr. Irene Garrow […]
Exploring Norfolk’s Past
A Former Seminary Hides in Plain Sight at Botelle School By Stephanie FunkSometimes it seems as though Norfolk is virtually unchanged, that the familiar buildings and streets have always been there. To some extent this is true, but as the saying goes, the only constant is change.An example of this lies within the familiar walls […]
Norfolk Remembers: Ed George
Edward R. George, 86, of Norfolk, Conn. and Key West, Fla. passed peacefully away, Dec. 20,2024, at Wolcott Hall, with his wife Mary by his side. He was the beloved husband of Mary (Welch) George. Ed was born on September 17,1938,in Torrington during the Hurricane of ‘38. He was the youngest of six born to […]
Stephen Getz, Active Volunteer
Stephen Jesson Getz of Norfolk passed away from multiple causes on Oct. 7 at Noble Horizons in Salisbury. He was 74 and lived in Norfolk with Peter Coffeen, his partner and husband of 46 years. Steve spent his early life in Oklahoma and Kansas, graduating as valedictorian from Bacon College in Muskogee, Okla., where his […]
William Zibluck, Outdoor Enthusiast
William (Bill) Zibluk, 71, passed away on Nov. 4 at his home in Norfolk. Born on Sept. 21, 1953, Bill was a lifelong enthusiast of the outdoors, which was reflected in both his personal hobbies and his work. He attended Seymour High School followed by Paul Smith College, where he further cultivated his love for […]
Norfolk Remembers
Kerry Garside Barbara Lawrence Garside died at her home in Norfolk on July 26, 2024, fittingly on the first day of the Paris Summer Olympics, a sporting event she loved. Kerry – as she was known to all – was born in 1935 in New York City to Barbara Childs Lawrence and James Freeman Lawrence. […]
Norfolk Remembers: Elizabeth Ann (Poll) Leifert
Elizabeth A Leifert, 80, passed away March 28, 2024. She was the wife of 60 years of Lawrence A. Leifert. Born in Torrington on Feb. 3, 1944, she was the daughter of Armand and Katherine Killiany Poll and a graduate of the Hart School of Music. She worked for the State of Connecticut Department of […]
Norfolk Remembers: Eleanor Curtiss Ellert
Eleanor Curtiss Ellert passed away on February 23, 2024, at the young age of 96. She was born in Norfolk, in 1927 to Albert H. and Elizabeth (Manville) Curtiss. Although she moved away from Norfolk during her marriage to her first husband of 14 years, she returned with her son, Clifford Bell, after her divorce. […]
