It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Marija Vaivads Bryant, Chairman of the Board of the First District Water Department. Marija passed away on Sunday, November 16, 2019. No words can adequately express this loss as Marija was a beloved member of our community. We offer our condolences to Marija’s family, friends and colleagues. 

Born on May 28, 1946, Marija graduated from SUNY Stonybrook and Boston College before embarking on a backpacking tour of Europe for a year, eventually returning home to Albany, NY, and working for General Electric (GE) as a copywriter. While back in Albany, she met her husband Tod who was a photographer for the city at the time. 

Marija and her husband moved to New York City, and then Norwalk, CT, where she ran a successful corporate consulting business and quickly became involved in our Norwalk community in 1985. Previously a member of the Norwalk Historical Commission, the Norwalk Preservation Trust, and the First District Parks Advisory Committee, Marija first joined the First Taxing District Board of Commissioners in 2009 as Treasurer, then became a board member in 2014. Marija became Chairman of the board in 2018.

Marija is survived by her husband Tod Bryant, her sister Sandy Vaivads Pangburn and her husband Paul, niece Liana Pangburn, nephew Paul Pangburn, her sister Nora Vaivads Taylor and her husband Dan, nephews Aleks Taylor and Chris Taylor. 

Service will be held for Marija on Saturday, November 23, 2019 at Magner Funeral Home in Norwalk from 11 AM to 2 PM.