In Memory of

Karyn

d'Avignon

(Nirady)

Obituary for Karyn d'Avignon (Nirady)

Karyn Louise d’Avignon began the next step of her journey December 8, 2021 on a rainy, but peaceful day in Farmington, Connecticut. Born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio she grew up on a quaint street in Garfield Heights with her parents, Kelly and Julie Nirady and her brother Alan. Voted ‘most intelligent’ by her Garfield Heights High School players she was part of the National Honor Society and a semi finalist for the National Merit Scholarship. Her 10th Grade science project on tree leaves has become a treasured family heirloom.
She attended The Ohio State University in 1963 and while she was an indifferent Cleveland Indians fan, she was a lifelong Buckeyes supporter. She majored in biology as an undergraduate student and went on to pursue her Masters in Science degree in microbiology, studying Southeast Asian malaria on a grant from the US Army, which always impressed her children. In 1969, while working as a teaching assistant at the University of Vermont, Karyn met a young graduate student by the name of Marc B. d’Avignon. As faculty and students were not allowed to date this made the relationship even more interesting and they were caught sneaking away to Henry’s Diner and other hideaways to eat good food and enjoy better company. Of course, love prevailed and after obtaining the Department Chair’s permission, they were married shortly thereafter in Burlington, Vermont, some 51 years ago. Eventually, they moved to Connecticut where Marc was completing his MD degree.

In order to support the young family, they both worked a series of strange jobs that none of their children could ever picture them doing. Soon, they had their first child to be known as Marc E., making things easier for our new baby to be discharged to go home rather than remain in the nursery without a name.

Together they moved to Hershey Pennsylvania even though Karyn‘s favorite candy was made by a competitor. Karyn had a second son, Ross as Marc was already taken twice. She loved motherhood and brought a calm joy to their lives, teaching her son the delights and responsibilities of life well lived. And with her wise gentle guidance they grew up to realize that raising them was much more difficult than studying SoutheastAsian malaria. They are eternally grateful for her kindness and effort. Later through feats of mental and physical stress she helped develop create and support her husband‘s solo medical practice, Westwood Imaging Center. Karyn always had a smile and got to know numerous patients, many of whom were returning annually, and she enjoyed interfacing with them during these seventeen years of operation, well before social media.

Not content with that, Karyn anticipated a need to drink better coffee years before the idea became fashionable and ubiquitous. She sold gourmet coffee, teas, and spices for discerning individuals and restaurants. She named this business Hastings and the sign hangs with pride in the d’Avignon home to this day.

Karyn retired to a life filled with passions: birds, theater, music, and art. In summers she could be found listening to whatever was on the bill at Tanglewood and she enjoyed adding to her ever-growing collection of ticket stubs. In winters she always could be spotted in the audience at TheaterWorks in Hartford. Karyn was an avid gardener and in particular was noted for cultivating Giant ‘dinner plate’ Dahlias.

Karyn was and always will be an amazing woman, wife, mother and friend. She was a lion of a lamb and while everyone will miss her dearly, her husband Marc B., her children Marc E. and Ross, her daughters-in-law, Sarita and Christina and her grandchild Connor, and the entire extended family that knew and loved her that she can be assured that we’ll carry your spirit and joy with us forever.

Donations in her memory may be made to Roaring Brook Nature Center, 70 Gracey Road, Canton, CT 06019. Memorial Service will be held at a later date entrusted to Vincent Funeral Home, 120 Albany Ave, Canton, CT 06019. For on line expressions of sympathy or condolences please visit Karyn’s Book of Memories www.vincentfuneralhome.com. A ceremony to celebrate Karyn’s life will be held in the spring, when the summer birds return, and her favorite flowers are blooming.