Mrs. Anne Vaichus

OAKVILLE- With heavy hearts, we announce the peaceful passing of Anne Elenor (Litwinas) Vaichus, who left us to be with the Lord on April 25, 2025, in her 100th year, surrounded by the love and comfort of her family. She was the beloved widow of Raymond Vaichus.

Anne was born on November 2, 1925, in Hartford, Connecticut, to the late Anna (Plauga) Litwinas and Joseph Stanley Litwinas. She was the third of seven children and grew up in Hartford during the Great Depression, a time that shaped much of her life and character. Anne’s early years were filled with cherished memories, especially her summers spent at Camp Courant with her sisters, traveling there on an open trolley. She was a communicant of Holy Trinity Church in Hartford and attended Holy Trinity Junior High School. She graduated from hairdressing school in 1944. As a young teen, Anne worked various jobs, including picking tobacco and working in the ticket booth at the local Loews theater. She also worked as a hairdresser. As a daughter of Lithuanian immigrants, Anne embraced her heritage. She was fluent in Lithuanian. She attended many Lithuanian Club dances and was a proud member of the Knights of Lithuania. Anne married the love of her life, Raymond Peter Vaichus, on October 25, 1947, at St. Joseph Church in Waterbury, Connecticut. Together, they built a beautiful life in Oakville, Connecticut, where Anne lived for the next 78 years. As a devoted wife and mother, Anne’s greatest joy was raising her 13 children, instilling in them a strong sense of faith and family. She was a homemaker through and through, always ensuring her family felt loved and cared for. Anne had a special love for the Connecticut shoreline, and the family spent many happy days vacationing in cottages on the beach. Anne was a devoted Catholic and an active member of St. Mary Magdalen Church in Oakville, where she served in the Catholic Woman's Club and was a passionate advocate for pro-life causes, attending the annual Right to Life marches in Washington, D.C., for over 20 years. Faith was the cornerstone of her life, and she passed this devotion on to her children.

In addition to being a loving mother, Anne enjoyed a variety of hobbies; roller staking, bowling, bingo, word puzzles, crocheting and sewing. She was also a passionate fan of sports, particularly the Boston Red Sox and UConn basketball. Anne found great joy in watching birds outside her picture window and spending time with her cat, Marmie. As her children grew older, Anne remained active, taking on part-time jobs, including working in the local election polls, serving as a school crossing guard, working as a teacher's aide, selling Avon, and contributing to assembly work at Winchester Electronics. She also enjoyed traveling with her husband, Ray, taking cruises around the Caribbean, visiting Lithuania to reconnect with her first cousins, and embarking on a cross-country road trip with her family in a mobile home. Anne’s family takes comfort in knowing that she lived a full life of love, faith, and service to others. She was always so gracious with her gift giving and had a spirit of selflessness. Her favorite quote, "One day at a time. We never know what tomorrow will bring. We thank the Lord we're up and breathing!" was a testament to her resilient spirit and unwavering gratitude for each day. Anne’s love for her family, her faith, and her community will never be forgotten, and her legacy will continue to live on in the hearts of all who knew her.

Anne is survived by her 12 children: Anne Dapont, Raymond C. Vaichus, Michele Weiss, Peter Vaichus, Thomas Vaichus, Charles Vaichus, Paul Vaichus, Ed Vaichus, Andrew Vaichus, Francis Vaichus, Vincent Vaichus, and Mary-Frances Vaichus. She also leaves behind 37 grandchildren, 49 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild, as well as beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was predeceased by her husband of 40 years Raymond, her son Joseph, and her sisters Florence Morkus, Maryfrances Litwinas, Elizabeth Flamio, Gloria Litwinas and brothers Joseph Litwinas and Charles Litwinas.

Funeral services for Mrs. Vaichus will be held on Saturday, May 3rd, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. when a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Holy Disciples Parish, Saint Mary Magdalen Church, 14 Buckingham Street Oakville. Those planning to attend are kindly asked to meet directly at the church. Burial will follow in Mount Olivet Cemetery, Watertown. Relatives and friends may visit with the Vaichus family on Friday, May 2nd, 2025, from 5:00 p.m.- 8:00 p.m. at Casey-O’Neill Funeral Home and Cremation Care, 742 Main St Oakville CT 06779. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Anne’s memory to the National Right to Life Committee, Inc. Loving kindness is always welcome, and it only takes a moment to offer a message of condolence and share a memory or words of comfort with the family and friends of someone who was important to you. Please do that on the funeral home tribute page at www.caseyfunerals.com.