Mary Elizabeth (Lynch) Bashta, 88, died at her home in Cody, Wyoming, on Nov. 29 of apparent heart failure. She was born in New Haven on Sept. 8, 1922, daughter of the late Mildred and Michael Lynch.  She attended school in New Haven and graduated from Commercial High School in 1940.  

Mary was married to Stanley Niziolek and they had a son, John.  They were divorced a few years later.

In 1952, while working at A.C. Gilbert’s, Mary met the love of her life, Theodore (“Ted”) Bashta.  After courting for a year, they were married.  They, along with John, moved to Guilford, and the couple had three more children, Patty, Mike, and Cathy.

In 1986, Ted retired from Pratt Whitney Aircraft, and a year later, Mary retired after working for 18 years as a food preparer at Baldwin Middle School in Guilford.  Shortly afterwards, they moved to North Fort Meyers, Florida, where they enjoyed their retirement for 11 happy years.  

Ted died of cancer in 2000 and Mary moved to Cody, Wyoming, in 2002.  Mary immediately settled into her new life in Cody, enjoying her many friends at the Senior Center and being a member of the Red Hatters.

Mary and Ted were on a bowling team together for years in Connecticut and Florida, and Mary continued to bowl in Cody until she was well into her 80s.  

A devoted wife and mother, Mary will always be remembered for her excellent cooking, delightful smile, and sense of humor.  One of her favorite places to go was Cassie’s on Saturday nights with her girlfriends, and she enjoyed listening to West the Band.

At 88 years old, Mary joked that 8 and 8 were 16, and that’s how she felt.  She was always cheerful and fun to be around.

She is survived by her son, John Niziolek and his wife Lee of Cody, Wyoming; her daughter, Patricia Bashta of Branford; her son, Michael Bashta and his wife Georgia of Evansdale, Iowa; her daughter, Cathy  Williams and her husband Ron of East Haven; 12 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her sister Betty.

A memorial mass was held on Dec. 7 at the Church of St. Anthony in Cody, Wyoming.  Burial will take place in Connecticut at a later date. A complete obituary and online registry in available at ballardfh.com.