Julia Ruszala, of Colchester, passed away peacefully at home on June 23, 2025, with her loved ones by her side.  She was 97 years old.  Julia was born on May 10, 1928 in Bronx, NY.  She was the daughter of the late Valentine and Theresa (Dickey) Rokita.  Julia was a graduate of Bacon Academy.  In her younger years, Julia was a member of the Army Air Forces Aircraft Warning Service, as an observer in the watchtower on Lebanon Avenue during WWII.  After high school, Julia went on to earn a teaching degree in Home Economics from UCONN.  After college, Julia worked at Day Hall for a time as the Home Economics Teacher.  When her children had grown, she returned to work as the Clerk in the Colchester Post Office, retiring after 25 years.  Julia married the love of her life, Joseph Ruszala on November 18, 1950.  The couple settled in Colchester where they built their home and raised their family. Julia was very proud of the home they built and loved adorning the outside with beautiful gardens.  She kept her family close by hosting the “Friday night supper club” which one and all were expected to attend and she also love the annual vacation spot at Sanibel Island in Florida. Joseph predeceased her on December 02, 1984. Julia was a communicant of St. Andrew Church in Colchester where she was also a member of the Ladies Guild.  Julia enjoyed traveling in the states and abroad with family, friends, and the Seniors in Colchester.  In her free time, Julia loved reading and she never missed a UCONN women’s basketball game. She will be remembered fondly as a kind, friendly and very social lady who was a devoted wife, mother and adoring grandmother.  She will be sadly missed but always remembered with love by her children and their spouses, June Ruszala-Martin (David Martin), Robert Ruszala (Jean Loura-Ruszala), Rick Ruszala (Claire Dalton), all of Colchester; grandchildren, Katherine, Julia, Robert, Victoria, Tessa, Danielle, and Rick; great-grandchildren, Amelia, Nora, Zigmund, Desmond, Osmond; and many extended family members and friends.  In addition to her husband and parents, Julia was predeceased by a daughter, Jeanne Ruszala-Herbst and a brother, Edward Rokita. Julia’s family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to the staff of Beacon Hospice for the compassionate care through Julia’s final days.  Funeral services will be held from the Aurora-McCarthy Funeral Home, 167 Old Hartford Rd, Colchester on Tuesday, July 1st beginning with a calling hour from 9:30 – 10:30 am, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 am at St. Andrew Church.  Burial will be in Linwood Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the Old Bacon Academy Restoration Project, P.O. Box 67, Colchester, CT 06415. For online condolences or to share a story of Julia for her family please visit www.auroramccarthyfuneralhome.com

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