Gerda Fichtel Convard, 80, of Middlebury, CT, wife of the late Frank Lee Convard, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, January 13, 2015. Born in Ulm-Wiblingen, Germany, Gerda was the youngest of two children of the late Karl and Benedikta Weinzierl Fichtel. She attended college in Germany and was an Olympic-class athlete in track and field. She ran a family owned Café© Restaurant where she met her beloved husband, Frank Lee Convard, a Colonel in the United States Army who was stationed in Ulm. They moved to the United States and were married in 1959. She loved living in Middlebury and was a resident for 56 years. She worked at Lewis Engineering, and then Pomperaug Woods in Southbury for 17 years.
She is survived by her daughter , Heidi Benedikta (Convard) Pugliese of Wethersfield CT, her son, Peter Lee Convard of Tampa, Florida, her son-in-law, John Michael Meggie of Wethersfield, and four grandchildren, whom she adored, Kassandra Andrea Pugliese and Andrew Lee Pugliese of Wethersfield, Stephen Convard and Mathew Convard of Glastonbury. She was devoted to her beloved Bichon Frise canine companion ' Schnookie'.
Gerda, a talented German chef who made the meanest Saurebratuen and Spatzle around, was deeply spiritual, loved sports, the Yankees, classic movies (' Gone with the Wind ' was her favorite), traveling to Aruba, dancing, dogs and music. Quick with a joke, one-liners and telling it 'like it is', Gerda loved laughing and life. She was a parishioner of Saint John of the Cross church in Middlebury. She will be deeply missed by many.
The Southbury Funeral Home of Munson-Lovetere, 235 Main St. North is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be made through www.munsonloveterefuneralhome.com.

Memorials: Those who wish may send flowers and/or contributions to Saint John of the Cross Church 1321 Whittemore Road, Middlebury Connecticut 06762

Cemetery: Middlebury Cemetery

Location: Munson-Lovetere Southbury

Funeral: St. John of the Cross

Services: There will be a calling hour at Saint John of the Cross, Roman Catholic Church, 1321 Whittemore Road, Middlebury Connecticut 06762 at 11: 30am on Saturday, January 17, 2015 with a mass immediately following at 12: 30pm.