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NORWALK, Conn. -- Nancy Sokolowski-Kolb, wife of Todd Kolb, of Ridgefield, died Saturday, Oct. 3.
Born in Providence, R.I., in 1937, she and her family moved to Norwalk in the early 1960s.
Her 50-year career as a nurse included more than 30 years at Norwalk Hospital in various areas of specialization, including surgery, private duty and hemodialysis. In mid-career, she chose to specialize in what became her lifelong crusade -- to help women diagnosed with breast cancer. She became an advocate in the campaign for education, early detection, treatment and the search for a cure. She co-founded the role of breast cancer navigator at Norwalk Hospital's Smilow Family Breast Cancer Center. In that role, she assisted newly diagnosed breast cancer patients through myriad hospital services.
She read widely, talked, walked and wrote to create programs that would help women survive breast cancer and lead healthy lives. Her leadership role included a close affiliation with the American Cancer Society. In 2011, her book, "The Breast Cancer Companion," co-authored with Valerie Rossi, was published by Demos Health.
She volunteered medical help to the Ridgefield Visiting Nurse Service and blood pressure screenings at her parish, St. Elizabeth Seton. She volunteered at Ridgefield Rides Program, was a member of the Caudatowa Garden Club and an officer of the League of Women Voters.
She is survived by her husband, Todd; two children, Debra Sokolowski Silverman and her husband, Matthew, of High Falls, N.Y., and David Sokolowski and his wife, Sonal, of Morris Plains, N.J.; and her grandchildren, Jan Silverman, Tyler Silverman, Ashley Sokolowski and Nicole Sokolowski.
She was predeceased by her two sisters, Jean Foltz and Gail Furtado' and her former husband, Albert Sokolowski.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Friday at St. Elizabeth Seton Church, 520 Ridgebury Road, Ridgefield. Interment will follow in St. Mary Cemetery, Ridgefield.
There will be no calling hours.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Whittingham Cancer Center – Norwalk Hospital; 24 Stevens Ave., Norwalk CT 06850.
Kane Funeral Home, Ridgefield is in charge of the arrangements.
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