Edna Cynar Vogel

Edna Vogel, 95, of Manchester, CT, passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 8, 2026, surrounded by her family. Born in 1930 to Frank and Mary Jajo Cynar of Deep River, CT, Edna grew up during the Great Depression and knew difficult times, but was blessed with a loving family.

Edna was a woman of many talents and remarkable willpower that kept her active to the end of her life, despite the physical challenges of old age. She always looked her best and worked to keep herself mentally and physically capable to the end.

Blessed with boundless energy throughout her life, she was a talented businesswoman and skilled in all types of crafts, such as painting, knitting, sewing, and card making, of which she gave her time and talents making beautiful items for family, friends and charitable causes. Edna was an outstanding baker and cooked delicious meals and treats, often with fresh ingredients from her garden. She was a master gardener growing gorgeous flowers and an abundance of fruits and vegetables, which she canned. She was also a fantastic card player and loved Rummikub.

The youngest of nine children, Edna grew up on a farm where her parents, Polish immigrants, taught her the value of hard work. It was there that Edna developed her willpower to overcome difficulties. Her father died when she was in high school and the farm had to be sold. Edna stayed in the home of an older sister until she finished high school at Chapman Tech in New London and then went out on her own. She went to work first at The Salvation Army and then Royal Typewriter in Hartford, earning a very modest salary and living in a boarding house. She described those times as very lean with money often running out before the days of the week. Determined to build a better life, Edna attended night school at Morse College in Hartford, acquiring skills that enabled her to become an executive secretary at Pratt and Whitney Aircraft and Home Insurance.

Then, early in 1954, she met Herbert Vogel, the love of her life. The sparks flew and Herb and Edna were married in August of that year. Theirs was a wonderful marriage and a pairing of two people committed to the same vision who loved and supported each other. They settled in North Haven, CT, where they made a beautiful home and raised two boys.

Edna excelled at planning and organizing, but her most satisfying professional endeavor was owning and operating Augie’s of Glastonbury, a fast-food restaurant, during the 1970s. She loved the fast pace, serving customers delicious food as well as the overall operation of the business. Even 50 years later, she would talk about the customers who had become like family.

In 1992, Herb and Edna retired to warmer weather in Florida. While in Florida, they purchased a camper and traveled all over the continental United States and satisfied their adventurous spirits with trips to Alaska and the Panama Canal. They were in Florida for 18 years and built a home with impressive gardens that were the envy of their community. They moved back to Connecticut to be near family in 2011 and were only separated when Herb died in 2017. They were married 62 happy years. Edna went on to live at the Arbors in Manchester, where she made many wonderful friends and honed her Rummikub skills.

Edna is survived by her two sons, James Vogel and his wife Wendy of Middletown, CT, Gary Vogel and his wife Christy of Acworth, GA; four grandchildren, Josh Vogel of Marysville, OH, Sean Vogel of Acworth GA, Karlee Bickel and her husband Daniel of Lake Forest CA, Patrick Vogel and his wife Faith of Tacoma, WA; and two great grandchildren Tanner Bickel and Lucy Bickel, along with many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her husband Herbert Vogel and her siblings Nora Bria, Frank Cynar, John Cynar, Helen Impelliteri, Viola Papciak, Nellie Pasieka, Marie Pastula, and Amelia Tefft

Edna will be interred at Greenhill Cemetery, Youngsville, N.Y., in a private service planned for June. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Harris Funeral Home, West Street at Buckley, Liberty, N.Y.