Obituary of Wyona V. Kaine

Wyona Violet Wright Kaine, age 93, of Bridgeport, beloved wife of the late Mereald "Scotty" Kaine, passed away on Thursday, January 11, 2018, at Lord Chamberlain in Stratford. Born in Debec, New Brunswick, Canada on November 9, 1924, she was the daughter of the late Wallace and Hazel Durling Wright.

Wyona grew up on the New Brunswick countryside in a family of thirteen children. She spent her early life looking after her siblings and doing chores around the family farm, her least favorite of which was milking the cows. As a young woman during World War II she waitressed at a train station restaurant, serving Canadian soldiers and often fending off their romantic overtures with her signature blend of humor and toughness. Soon she met her future husband, a Maine native named Mereald Kaine. For a time Mereald trekked back and forth across the U.S.-Canada border just to see Wyona. At length, they married in Maine, and later settled in Bridgeport. Here, they raised a family of four children. Wyona worked double-time as a mother and a factory worker, eventually working as a product-tester at General Electric for over two decades. Upon retirement, she and Mereald focused on spending time with their grandchildren, and were able to enjoy travelling together during the last years of his life. A lifelong lover of children, Wyona worked for a time in the cafeteria at Daniels Farm Elementary in Trumbull. She was also an active member in her church community at Golden Hill Methodist Church, and a beloved friend to her many neighbors on Eastwood Road.

Her family and friends well knew Wyona's undaunted spirit, and the ease with which she approached any and every challenge. While she was a naturally tough, independent woman, she found no difficulty in showing tenderness and generosity to those she loved. She was a phenomenal friend to many, and never failed to be by the side of those in need. In her latter years she enjoyed hosting friends and family at her Bridgeport home, cracking them up with stories, and reminiscing over moments from her past. Her children and grandchildren are so grateful to have had such a strong, encouraging presence in their lives. They have inherited more strong qualities from her than they can count.

Survivors include her three loving children, Larry Kaine of Oxford, Marilyn D'Elia of Monroe, and Margaret Cominelli and her husband Andy of Stratford; a sister, Madeline Little of McAdam, Canada; brothers, Arthur Wright (Mary) of Debec, Canada and Russell Wright of Fredericton, Canada; eight grandchildren, Jeffrey Kaine, Stephen Kaine (Donna), James D'Elia (Melissa), Michael D'Elia, Kevin D'Elia (Janelle), Andrew Cominelli, Christina Cominelli and Sean Cominelli and eight great-grandchildren, Lucas, Liam, Brody, Gavin, Olivia, Tiffany, Ethan and Kyle, as well as many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by a son, Daniel Kaine and a grandson, Jason Kaine.

Services will take place on Monday, January 15, 2018 at 9:00 a.m. from the Abriola Parkview Funeral Home, 419 White Plains Road, Trumbull and at 10:30 a.m. at Golden Hill United Methodist Church, 210 Elm St. Bridgeport for a Funeral Service. Burial will follow in Lawncroft Cemetery, Fairfield. Friends may greet the family on Monday morning from 9:00 – 10:00 a.m. at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Golden Hill United Methodist Church, 210 Elm St. Bridgeport, CT 06604.