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Educator Lillie Margaret Lazaruk, a Fairfield resident for 42 years, died Dec. 7 at the age of 84. Lazaruk was the founder and director emerita of the Womens Center at Bridgeports Housatonic Community College.
Lazaruk was born in Jefferson, S.C. After earning her bachelors from Berea College in Kentucky and a masters at Columbia, she went on to study at Union Theological Seminary, the University of North Carolina, Wellesley College and Yale University.
She began her career in education in 1947, organizing interracial and interfaith student conferences for the YWCA College and University Division in Atlanta. She then became youngest associate dean in Bereas history. She also served as associate dean of women at Douglass College in New Jersey and as executive director of the YWCA of High Point, N.C.
Lazaruk moved to Fairfield in 1968 and became director of the Everywoman's Center at the YWCA of Greater Bridgeport. She would later found HCCs Womens Center, which provides support systems for young women attending the school. For her work in Connecticut, Lazaruk received the Greater Bridgeport branch of the National Organization for Womens first Susan B. Anthony award. She also received the Governor's International Womens Year Award to Distinguished Women of Connecticut and the Salute to Women Award from the YWCA of Greater Bridgeport.
Lazaruk was predeceased by her husband, Dr. William Lazaruk, and sisters Joyce Pressley and Billie Bynum. She is survived by her son, Edward Lazaruk of Fairfield; a brother, Mack Pressley and his wife, Christine; a brother-in-law, Howard Bynum, and many nieces and nephews.
Trinity Episcopal Church will host a burial service Jan. 8 at noon. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Berea College, CPO 2216, Berea, KY 40404 and to the Southern Poverty Law Center.
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