LOLITA STEELE
GROTON- Lolita A. (Woodard) Steele, 72, of Groton, a noted area journalist, died Monday morning at The Groton Regency after an extended illness.
She was born in Chicago on February 14, 1933 the daughter of Andrew Buchanan Woodard and Emelia (Traskof) Woodard. Raised in Illinois, she attended local schools and graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Illinois in 1956.
Mrs. Steele enjoyed a distinguished journalism career beginning as a respected television journalist in the Wausau, WI area markets. After moving to Connecticut, she switched to print media, accepting a position with the Hartford Courant where she worked for many years, ultimately serving as their Southeastern Connecticut bureau correspondent before retiring.
She is survived by her sister, Glennette Charlton of Northfield, IL; 2 stepdaughters, nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband, Edward Steele and a sister Darleen Kennedy.
Her family will gather for a Graveside Funeral Service to be conducted at Swan Point Cemetery, 585 Blackstone Blvd, Providence, RI on Monday at 2pm. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. The Rev. Doretta M. Colburwill officiate. There are no visiting hours. Donations in her memory may be made to the Joslin Diabetes Clinic at Harvard University.
The Dinoto Funeral Home, 17 Pearl Street, Historic downtown Mystic is assisting the family.