Karla Jean Kowalski, age 60, of Stratford, beloved daughter of the late Walter and Barbara (DeLorenzo) Kowalski, entered into eternal rest on October 17, 2026. Karla was born in Bridgeport on May 20, 1966, and has been a lifelong area resident.

She was a graduate of Bunnell High School, class of 1984 and earned her bachelor’s degree from Southern Connecticut State University. Karla was the office manager for Legacy Family Dental in Stratford.

Survivors include her brother, John Kowalski of Stratford and sister, Kymberlee Kowalski-Ortiz along with her husband Ray Ortiz of Milford, niece, Callie Ortiz and nephew, Evan Ortiz, aunts, Ann Nankervis and MaryJo Piskura, uncle, John DeLorenzo and several cousins. In addition to her parents, Karla was pre-deceased by her brother, Keith, uncles Don Piskura and Gerard DeLorenzo and aunts Cindy and Beverly DeLorenzo.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, October 24, 2026, at 10:00 a.m., at Our Lady of Grace Church 497 Second Hill Lane Stratford. The Church has offered to open their doors at 9:15 a.m. for those seeking to pay their respects to the family members prior to the Mass. Interment will follow in St. Michael’s Cemetery Stratford.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Adzima Funeral Home- Stratford.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Karla’s memory to St Jude’s Hospital www.stjude.org or the Scotty Fund at www.scottyfund.org.