Naugatuck-Joan B. Taf, affectionately known as “Babci” to all that knew her, passed away on June 23, 2024 in the comfort of her home at the age of 91. She was born in New Haven, CT on February 17, 1933 to the late John and Stella (Adamczyk) Kozimor. Growing up in New Haven, Joan attended St. Stanislaus Grammar School and Wilbur Cross High School. She graduated from UConn with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management. Joan met her late husband Michael at a Polish wedding. Together they raised a family in Naugatuck and were happily married for 49 years. During this time, Joan worked at Uniroyal Footwear in Naugatuck for 24 years and at EWR in Waterbury.

Joan was very involved in her community. She first served as a Burgess for 10 years (1989-1999), then was proudly elected the first woman Mayor of Naugatuck (1999-2003). Among her successes were: the downtown revitalization project, bringing Coca-Cola to town, the Good Morning Naugy program  for the elderly, the first skateboard park in Naugatuck, the River Walk at Linden,  and the annual cultural celebrations at Town Hall.

  Joan was honored at both local and state levels for her work in the Naugatuck community. In 2009, Joan received a legislative award on Polish Day at the State Capital for being the First Woman Mayor of Naugatuck. In 2014, part of Linden Park was renamed “Mayor Joan B. Taf Field” in honor of her dedication to the town.

In addition to her service as Burgess and Mayor, Joan served as President of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Union City Polish American Club, a former member of the Polish Heritage Group of Naugatuck, a member of the Naugatuck’s Woman’s Club where she served as a former Vice-President. She also served for many years as a Ward Leader for the Democratic Town Committee, a Justice of the Peace, and a volunteer reader at Maple Hill School.  Up until her passing, Joan served as Vice-Chair of the Naugatuck Housing Authority. She took great pride in assisting the elderly.

Joan’s faith was important to her. She was a longtime parishioner of St. Hedwig’s Church until its closing, serving as a trustee, chairman of the Parish Council, president of the Ladies Guild, and organizer/advisor to the White Eagle Polka Dance Group (where her three daughters and son-in-law danced together for many years). Her favorite pastimes included: Polka dancing (especially with her husband where they won many dance contests), her Monday afternoon card games at the Senior Center, Martini Thursdays at local establishments then at home, Lifetime TV, singing “Stolat” at every birthday party, and being an avid UConn basketball fan. Joan enjoyed shaking her pom poms at the TV when her beloved team fell behind and chanting, “Let’s Go, you can do it.”

Her love of all things Naugatuck was matched only by her love of family. Predeceased by her parents and her husband, Joan’s memory will be cherished and kept alive by her three daughters: Michele Russell (husband Paul), Joanne Allison (husband Bill), and Laurie Jackson (boyfriend Joe Pesce), her five beloved grandchildren: Jeffrey Russell (wife Heather), Hailey Russell, Michael Allison (wife Sindy), Lindsay Allison (Fiance Connor Combs), and Matthew Jackson, a great granddaughter: Kinsley Joan Russell, several cousins, and a community that was better served by her presence. 

Her family and friends will forever cherish Joan’s stories and comforting words, especially her famous underlined greeting cards and birthday voice messages.  She was a beacon of light and warmth in the community she loved dearly.

The family would like to thank Alicia Tie for the loving care she  gave to Joan these past six months and to the Staff at Access Care especially Jennifer, Jenna, Melissa, Natalie and Pastor Tim. Your support and kindness made the difficult days easier. 

 

Her funeral will be held on Friday June 28, 2024 at 11 a.m. from the Naugatuck Valley Memorial/Fitzgerald Zembruski Funeral Home, 240 North Main Street, Naugatuck, to St. Vincent Ferrer Church, 1006 New Haven Road, Naugatuck, for a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 12 p.m.  Burial will follow in St. James Cemetery.  Family and friends may call at the funeral home on Thursday from 4-7 p.m.  To send an on-line condolence or share a memory, please visit www.naugatuckvalleymemorial.com.