Obituary of Donna C. Tropsa

Donna C. Tropsa born and raised in Stamford, CT, resided with her husband Michael in White Plains, New York. Donna passed away on Friday, August 5, 2011 after a brief stay in White Plains Hospital. She was born in Stamford on April 18, 1951 to the late Frank and Eleanor Tropsa. She was a graduate of Manhattanville College with a BA in English and graduated Magna Cum Laude with a JurisDocturate from Suffolk University Law School in 1977. She practiced Law for many years in Stamford, CT and was recognized in the Connecticut Law Review for her outstanding contribution to the legal profession. She was a member of the Connecticut and American Bar Associations. Following her legal practice, Donna worked in Education teaching and advising at Berkley College in Manhattan, and at her alma mater, Manhattanville College where she was chosen as Professor of the Year. While pursuing her PHD in Education, Donna participated in the Oxford University Round Table where she presented on Education in the Inner Cities. She was passionate about providing an exemplary education to all and one of her many contributions was founding an after school program, "The House of Saint Barts" for city children in White Plains. Donna actively worked with Catholic Family Charities and taught CCD at Saint Leo's Church. She was passionate about her work with children and loved all children equally. She had a love of the fine arts, literature, sewing, quilting, and traveling. She was known for her love, kindness and generosity to her family, friends and neighbors and cherished her nieces and nephews. Donna was the cherished wife of Michael C. Briska and is survived by her siblings Frank J. Tropsa of Monroe CT, Jon E. Tropsa of Stamford, CT and Reno, NV, Marilyn J. Furtak of New Fairfield, CT and James L. Tropsa of Darien, CT. She was a proud and devoted aunt to Christopher J. Furtak, Gregory M. Furtak and Andrew M. Furtak of New Fairfield, Danielle N. Tropsa and Allyson M.Tropsa of Ridgefield, Stefan J. Tropsa and Paul A. Tropsa of Monroe and Emily M. Tropsa and Kathleen E. Tropsa of Darien. Calling hours will be held at the Lawrence Funeral Home, 2119 Post Rd., Darien, CT on Tuesday August 9, 2011 from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at the Holy Name RC Church, 4 Pulaski Street, Stamford, CT on Wednesday, August 10, 2011 at 10:00 AM. There will be a private family interment at Fairfield Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Stamford Women's Club Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 16793, Stamford, CT 06905 Funeral Home: Edward Lawrence Funeral Home 2119 Post Road Darien, CT USA 06820