Obituary of Irene Z. Burgan

Irene Teresa Zeppa Burgan, 97, of South Glastonbury, died peacefully in her home on April 12, 2023. Born on October 4, 1925, to Ferdinand and Palmira (Ansaldi) Zeppa, she lived her whole life on Matson Hill in her hometown. Irene was valedictorian for the class of 1943 at Glastonbury High School. She worked at several local insurance agencies and earned the designation of Certified Professional Insurance Woman, given by the International Association of Insurance Professionals. She was a member of the National Association of Insurance Women and a member and past president of the Hartford Association of Insurance Women. A devout churchgoer, Irene was a member and past president of St. Augustine’s Altar Guild. She was also an avid reader and was a life member of the Friends of the Welles-Turner Memorial Library. Other organizations she belonged to included the Historical Society of Glastonbury and AARP Chapter 2010. Later in life, she enjoyed doing tai chi, taking classes for many years. Irene was predeceased by her beloved husband, Bernard Burgan, and her sisters Eleanor Chiambalero, Virginia Norkunas, and Gail Zeppa. Irene is survived by her daughter Pam Senyk and her husband Paul, of West Palm Beach, FL; her daughter Cheryl Burgan and her partner Michael Gonsalves of Tolland, CT; and her son Michael Burgan of Santa Fe, NM. Irene had six grandchildren: Christopher Senyk (Marylee) of Lake Jackson, TX; Karen Senyk Zulick (Robert) of Ashford, CT; Paula Senyk Weglarz (Michael) of Deep River, CT; Heather Brown Whalen (Sean) of Glastonbury, CT; Matthew Brown (fiancée Deanna) of Dorchester, MA; and Katie Brown of Everett, MA. She had 10 great-grandchildren: Justin and Rachael Senyk; Oliva and John Zulick; Michelle Runge Trueblood (Isaac); Natalie and Haylee Weglarz; and Kayla, Shane, and Sydney Whalen. She had two great-great grandchildren, Elliott and Bridgette Trueblood. Irene is also survived by a niece, Sister Virginia Chiambalero of Sparkill, New York. Irene’s family would like to thank her constant caregiver over the last three and a half years, Dale Brown. The family will receive friends Tuesday, April 18, at the Mulryan Funeral Home, 725 Hebron Ave., Glastonbury, from 5-7 p.m. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Wednesday April 19, at 11 a.m. in Ss. Isidore and Maria Parish at St. Augustine Church, South Glastonbury, followed by a burial in St. Augustine Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Friends of the Welles-Turner Memorial Library or the South Glastonbury Public Library. For online condolences please visit www.mulryanfh.com.