Alexis Charlton Hook, 91, of Bloomfield, beloved wife of Keith B. Hook, passed away Monday, May 6th at Seabury. Born in Upper Hutt, New Zealand on December 3rd, 1921, she was the daughter of the late Alexander Robert and Erica (Morpeth) Entrican. Alexis was a graduate of the Wellington Girls College, where she earned the Anna P. Stout Challenge Cup. She graduated from the Ashburton Hospital School of Nursing, where she met her future husband, Keith, in January 1944. Alexis came to the United States on a ship which carried over 11,000 War brides, arriving on March 4, 1946. She worked briefly at the Aetna as secretary to Dr. Alexander, the company’s Chief Medical Officer. From 1947, she devoted her life to family, friends and service to those in need. She was active in many civic organizations, including the PTA, YWCA and the World Church Refugee Program. She was a member of Trinity Episcopal Church in Hartford and also performed Pastoral Care work in the Greater Hartford area, including at the prior home of Seabury on Retreat Ave. Besides her husband, Alexis is survived by her four children, Andrew, Edith, Sambuq, and Jamie (and his wife Wen Chyi Shyu) and four grandchildren: Anson, Alexander, Charlton and Elizabeth Ateeya. She is also survived by her sister, Elizabeth Orr, wife of Gordon, and their two children, Bridget and Katie, and their families. Friends may call at Trinity Episcopal Church, 120 Sigourney St., Hartford on Saturday (May 25) from 9:45-10:45am followed by a funeral service in the church at 11:00am. Burial will be in the Trinity Church Memorial Garden. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in her honor to the Trinity Church Memorial Fund, the Seabury Charitable Foundation (200 Seabury Dr, Bloomfield, CT 06002), or a charity of the donor’s choice.
Mary Andrews Lewis Wood, 90, of West Hartford and Fishers Island, NY, beloved widow of William H. Wood Jr., to whom she was married for 62 years, passed away Saturday, April 27th. Born in Hartford, March 22nd, 1923, daughter of the late Richard B. and Dorothy (White) Lewis Sr., she was raised in Hartford and summered in Madison, CT. Mary was a graduate of The Masters School in Dobbs Ferry, NY and attended Smith College in Northampton, MA. She was the granddaughter of Robert Lewis, co-founder of Harvey & Lewis Opticians. Mary was a member of the Colonial Dames and the Connecticut Valley Garden Club; she also volunteered at Gray Lodge in Hartford. She loved spending time on Fishers Island and was a founder of the F.I. Conservancy. An enthusiastic bridge player, she also enjoyed golf and tennis. Mary truly relished her family and is survived by her three children: Nancy Andrews Wood of New Britain, William H. Wood III of Avon, and Richard Lewis Wood of Fishers Island, NY; and several nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her brother, Richard B. Lewis, Jr. A Memorial Service will be held Tuesday, May 7th, at 11:00am in Trinity Episcopal Church, 120 Sigourney St., Hartford with The Rev. Donald L. Hamer officiating. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Trinity Episcopal Church, 120 Sigourney St., Hartford, CT 06105 or to Fishers Island Conservancy, P.O. Box 553, Fishers Island, NY 06390.
Daniel J. Foley, 78, of Hartford, husband of the late Ann (Tierney) Foley, passed away Sunday, April 21st. Born November 14th, 1934 in the Parish of Keel, Castlemaine, County Kerry, Ireland, son of the late Daniel J. and Ellen (Flynn) Foley, he resided in Hartford for over 60 years. Prior to retiring in 1999, Dan was employed at the MDC for 41 years. He was a longtime communicant at St. Lawrence O’Toole Church in Hartford and a United States veteran, serving in the 101st Airborne Division as a Paratrooper. Dan was a life member and past president of the Irish American Home Society in Glastonbury and a strong member of the Gaelic Football Club, which won the National Championship in 1968. The family would like to thank Bliss 11 ICU of Hartford Hospital, particularly Kristen and her staff, as well as Chaplain Peter for all their kindness. Dan is survived by his daughter, Carol A. DiTaranto and her husband Rocco of West Hartford, his two sons, Brian M. Foley and his wife Bernadette (Egan) Foley of Wethersfield, his son Daniel J. Foley of Hartford, his three grandchildren, Nicholas DiTaranto, Kevin DiTaranto and Maeve Foley, his four brothers, John Foley and his wife Anne of Manchester, Timothy Foley and his wife Julie in Ireland, James Foley of San Diego, CA, and Michael Foley and his wife Patricia of Niantic, and his three sisters, Mary Traynor of Enfield, Nell Hosey and her husband John of West Hartford and Bridie Kelliher in Ireland. He was predeceased by his sister, Catherine and his three brothers, Thomas, Patrick and Jerry. Friends may call at The Ahern Funeral Home, 180 Farmington Ave., Hartford on Thursday (Apr. 25) from 4:00-8:00pm. Funeral procession from The Ahern Funeral Home will be Friday (Apr. 26) at 9:15am followed by the Funeral Liturgy in St. Lawrence O’Toole Church, 494 New Britain Ave., Hartford at 10:00am. Burial will be in Mount St. Benedict Cemetery in Bloomfield. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Hartford Gaelic Football Club, c/o Irish American Home Society, 132 Commerce Street, P.O. Box 620, Glastonbury, CT 06033.
William F. Welton Jr., 70, of Norwich, passed away Thursday, April 11th. Born in Norwich, July 9th, 1942, son of the late William F. and Verna (Johnstone) Welton. He is survived by his daughter, Jillian Lichner and her husband Brant of Texas, his son Jason Welton of Pawcatuck, his daughter Jennifer Feeney of Waterford, his sister Mary Welton, his grandchildren Alexandria and Braeden and his dear friends John and Anne Busa of Torrington. Funeral services will be private.
Rafaela Rivera Rodriguez, 78, formerly of Hartford and Farmington, died peacefully March 1st, 2013 at The Village Green of Bristol after a long and courageous battle with Parkinson’s Plus Syndrome. Born in Barrio Farallón, Cayey, Puerto Rico on December 26th, 1934, she was the last of nine children born to the late Luis Rivera Llera and Leonarda Rodriguez Rosado. After the death of her father in 1937, Rafaela was raised by her mother, in the company of her eight siblings on their farm in Farallón. On April 2nd, 1951, she was married to Luis Rodriguez and gave birth to four daughters before moving to Hartford in 1961. In Hartford, Rafaela worked in many factories until moving to Farmington and gaining her certification as a Nurse’s Aide. Throughout her 28 year career as a Home Health Aide for the VNA of Hartford, Rafaela cared for countless elderly men and women, including one very special patient, Clarisse Martin who died in 2001. Above all, family was Rafaela’s greatest joy. She was the best cook, enjoyed her garden, planting zinnias, roses and tomatoes especially. Holidays spent with Rafaela were also very special occasions that she made the most wonderful times of the year. Rafaela spent many vacations in Puerto Rico, Cape Cod and Coastal Maine. Fried calamari and a glass of sangria or ginger ale on the shore were some of Rafaela’s favorite times spent. Besides her husband of nearly 62 years, she leaves behind her four loving daughters, Judith Rodriguez McGann (James) of Manchester, Dallas Rodriguez of West Hartford, Migdalia Rodriguez Merriman of Burlington and Beth Rodriguez of Farmington, seven grandchildren, Jennifer (Rich), Nevada, Erin (Casey), Nicolas, Megan, Michael and Grant, four great-grandchildren, Michael, Mia, Moses and Andrew, three cherished sisters, Rita of Ponce, Puerto Rico, Alejandra of San Juan, Puerto Rico and Mercedes of Miami, FL, as well as over one hundred nieces, nephews, cousins and their families of Connecticut, Puerto Rico, New York, Florida, Iowa, Texas, Massachusetts, and Argentina. She was predeceased by her beloved siblings, Concepción, Ramiro, Isabel, Angela and Ramón and a special son-in-law, Jeffrey Robert Merriman. Friends may call at The Ahern Funeral Home, 180 Farmington Ave., Hartford on Thursday (Apr. 4) from 5:00-8:00pm. Funeral services will be held Friday (Apr. 5) at 10:00am in Emanuel Lutheran Church, 311 Capitol Ave., Hartford followed by burial in Riverside Cemetery, Farmington. Memorial contributions may be made to the Interval House, P.O. Box 340207, Hartford, CT 06134-0207 or to American Parkinson Disease Association, Connecticut Chapter, 27 Allendale Dr., North Haven, CT 06473.
William H. Wood Jr., 91, of West Hartford, and Fishers Island, NY, beloved husband of Mary Andrews Lewis Wood, to whom he was married for 62 years, passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, March 3rd, 2013 surrounded by his loving family. Born in Hanover, NH, November 22nd, 1921, son of the late William H. and Mabel (Munson) Wood, Bill graduated from Phillips Exeter Academy (1939), Yale University (1943) and University of Michigan Law School (1948). He was a United States Air Force veteran of World War II where he served with distinction as a 1st Lieutenant Navigator. Bill began his law career at Hoppin, Carey and Powell where he was a Senior Partner for many years. He later moved to and eventually retired from Shipman and Goodwin. Bill was a natural athlete and loved all sports. He was a member of the Golf Team and Captain of the Ice Hockey Team at Yale. He also enjoyed fishing, skiing, and was a competitive bridge player. As an avid golfer, he was a member of the Hartford Golf Club and the Fishers Island Country Club. Besides his wife, he is survived by his three children: Nancy Andrews Wood of New Britain, William H. Wood III of Avon, and Richard Lewis Wood of Fishers Island, NY; and several nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his three sisters, Frances, Beulah and Katherine. A Memorial Service will be held Thursday (Mar. 7) at 11:00am in The Ahern Funeral Home, 180 Farmington Ave., Hartford with The Rev. Donald L. Hamer officiating. Burial will be private. Memorial contributions may be made to the VNA HealthCare Hospice Program, 103 Woodland St., Hartford, CT 06105 or to Fishers Island Conservancy, P.O. Box 553, Fishers Island, NY 06390.
Concetta Theresa (Valente) Maile, 92, of West Hartford, beloved and devoted wife of the late Louis John Maile, passed away peacefully at St. Mary Home, Friday, February 22, 2013. She was predeceased by her loving sons, Louis J. Maile Jr., Michael M. Maile, her grandson, James Maile Chavez and her loving sister, Frances (Valente) Recupero. Mrs. Maile was born in Hartford on March 13, 1920, daughter of the late Emmanuel and Marianna (Amendola) Valente. She was a graduate of Henry Barnard School and Hartford Public High School, where she was active in the drama club. She worked for Law offices prior to being employed with The Travelers Insurance Co. for 25 years, at which time, she retired. Mrs. Maile had a strong faith and was a member of St. Patrick St. Anthony Church in Hartford. She had many interests, especially, including the arts and volunteering. She volunteered at St. Mary Home, where she resided and was awarded many certificates of recognition for her gracious and compassionate volunteer work. She was an extremely caring and beyond dedicated mother to her family. She had a wonderful sense of humor. She will always be remembered as a very courageous and truly strong person. She will be deeply missed by her children and extended family. Mrs. Maile leaves her eight children, Lucy Clark of Newington; Marylou Maile of East Hartford; Nella Maile of East Hartford; Eleanor and her husband Chris of Middletown; Louise Maile Rimscha of Vernon; Joseph Maile of New York; Theresa and her late husband Dave Milligan of Avon, and John Maile of West Hartford. Mrs. Maile was recently predeceased by her loving and devoted son-in-law, Dave Milligan. She leaves many beloved grandchildren and great grandchildren, her two sisters, Virginia Clark of Marlborough and Anne Consentino of Rocky Hill and many nieces, nephews and friends. The family would like to extend a sincere thank you to the staff at St. Mary Home, with special thanks to Andrea Edmead for her loving care to our mother. Friends may call at The Ahern Funeral Home, 180 Farmington Ave., Hartford on Tuesday (Feb. 26) from 8:30-10:00am. Funeral procession from The Ahern Funeral Home will be at 10:00am followed by the Funeral Liturgy in the Church of St. Thomas the Apostle, West Hartford at 11:00am. Burial will be in Mt. St. Benedict Cemetery, Bloomfield. Donations in her memory may be made to St. Mary Home, Mercy Community Health – Development Office, 2021 Albany Ave., West Hartford, CT 06117-2796.
Kathleen Curry McAndrews, of West Hartford, died after a brief illness at Hartford Hospital surrounded by her family on February 22, 2013. She was the daughter of the late Dr. and Mrs. Joseph A. Abel of South Bend, IN. Kathleen was born and raised in South Bend, IN and was a graduate of St. Patrick’s School and St. Mary’s Academy. She received her B.A. degree from St. Mary’s College, South Bend, IN in 1948. In 1956 she married the late David A. Curry, Esq. from Hartford, CT. Upon David’s graduation from Notre Dame Law School in South Bend, the couple moved to Hartford where David worked at his father’s law firm, the late Thomas B. Curry, Esq. Kathleen and David settled in West Hartford where they raised their three children. They enjoyed a wonderful life together until his untimely death in 1972. Kathleen was a communicant of the Church of St. Timothy. In addition to raising her three children, Kathleen served for many years on the Board the Women’s Auxiliary of St. Francis Hospital. She served on various committees and she implemented one of the first “Baby Cuddler” programs in the greater Hartford area at St. Francis where she would hold hospitalized at-risk infants. Kathleen was a former member of the West Hartford Garden Club, the World Affairs Center, and served on the Boards of the Hartford Ballet and the Mark Twain House. Kathleen was an avid golfer and platform tennis player and a former member of Wampanoag Country Club in West Hartford and the Town and County Club in Hartford, CT. In 1991 she married the late Dr. James F. McAndrews. Kathy and Jim treasured fifteen years together traveling abroad and spending time during the winter months at their home at Sawgrass in Florida until Jim’s death in 2006. Kathleen is survived by her loving children; her son Atty. David A. Curry of West Hartford and Hamilton, Bermuda and her daughters, Kathleen A. Curry of Bridgeport and Virginia Curry Fairbrother and her husband Dr. Richard J. Fairbrother of West Hartford, CT. She is also survived by her devoted sister-in-law, Angela Curry Maynard of Little Rock, AR and her brothers-in-law James F. Purcell of Munster, IN and Rev. Frederic F. Curry of Tucson, AZ, many nieces and nephews, especially her niece Elise O’Connell Boccia and her family of Glastonbury, CT. She was predeceased by her beloved sister, Dorothy A. Purcell, her sister-in-law Elise C. O’Connell, her brothers-in-law Rev. James A. Curry, Thomas B. Curry and Col. Charles D. Maynard. The family wishes to thank Dr. Croen and the Palliative Care Team at Hartford Hospital; especially the nurses Dana, Shana, Helen, and Louise and the CNA’s Gifti, Taylor, and John. The family also wishes to thank the entire staff at the Caleb Hitchcock Healthcare Center at Duncaster in Bloomfield, CT; Dr. Becherl and the staff of the Cedar Unit notably Linda Barnard, her nurses Delores, Monique, Elizabeth, Victoria, Carolyn, Marcia, Sheila, Asha, Donald, Talida, Marjorie, Angela, Nordia, Nataliya and John, and her CNA’s Hyacinth, Dawn, Allecia, Janelle, Hannah, Debra, Elaine, Edian, Jennifer, Audrey, Marcia. In addition the family would like to thank the Father Cody, Father Frascadore, Pat Piano and the Pastoral Care team of St. Timothy’s Church, West Hartford, notably Joan Curis and Jane Brady for their dedication administering the Holy Eucharist to Kathleen.
Friends may call at the Church of St. Timothy, 1116 North Main St., West Hartford on Tuesday (Feb. 26) from 9:30-11:00am. The Funeral Liturgy will be celebrated in the Church at 11:00am followed by burial in Fairview Cemetery, West Hartford. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Kathleen’s memory to the Church of St. Timothy, West Hartford, CT, the Dorothy Abel Purcell Foundation for the Right to Life, 8350 Parkview Avenue, Munster, IN 46321, or any organization of the donor’s selection.
Our Dear Friend Maureen passed away very peacefully on Tuesday, February 12th 2013 at St. Francis Hospital. Lolly, as she was lovingly known, was born August 23rd, 1947 in Chicago, IL, to the late Edward Pellagrini (Red Sox infielder 1946 and Head Coach of Boston College) and Helen Rita Sheridan. Lolly is survived by her twin brother Michael E. Pellagrini of Santa Rosa, CA. She also leaves behind her beloved close friend Jo Jo Leano of 25 years and good friend Keith Schroeder. Maureen was a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America. Her passion was cooking. She was very well known and loved in her beloved West-End community in Hartford where she was a very active volunteer in all community events, fund raising projects, state & local affairs and was always ready to help anyone. Chef Maureen was an active member of the United Methodist Church of Hartford and was spiritually guided by Rev. Cynthia Major, Pastor of the Church. As a chef, she held regular ‘Spaghetti Suppers’ for the community and the church. It was her vision to organize, canvass local businesses for donations, supplies and decorations for the community, charity events and the food pantry. We all loved Lolly and are proud to have known her. We will miss her dearly. Maureen wished to be cremated. Friends may call at the United Methodist Church of Hartford, 571 Farmington Ave., Hartford on Thursday (Feb. 21) from 12:00-2:00pm. A memorial service in her honor will be held on Thursday (Feb. 21) at the United Methodist Church of Hartford at 7:30pm followed by a reception at the church.
Karolina Prosciak, 87, of Hartford passed away peacefully Wednesday, February 6, 2013. The Funeral Liturgy will be celebrated Thursday, February 14, at 9:00 AM in the Cathedral of St. Joseph, followed by burial in St. Mary Cemetery, Avon. In lieu of Flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Catholic Charities, 467 Bloomfield Ave, Bloomfield, CT 06002