Darienite (https://darienite.com/category/obituaries/page/96)
Death notices for Darienites, immediate relatives and others of interest to town residents
Florence A. (Papallo) Sestito, 89, a longtime resident of Darien, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, Feb. 7. She was born in Meriden on Oct. 10, 1927 to the late Joseph and Rose Saverine Papallo. Florence was a graduate of Darien High School, Class of 1945, and was employed at the Shepard Insurance Agency in Stamford until raising her family.
Mary I. Greely (nee Ives), 88, beloved wife of the late Rev. John “Jack” Greely, passed away on Feb. 5 in Darien. Born in Cincinnati on June 20, 1928, she was the daughter of Robert Franklin and Ruth (Enger) Ives. Mary and John married just after John was ordained an Episcopal minister. They moved to Toledo, Ohio to start their lives together.
“A great soul serves everyone all the time. A great soul never dies. It brings us together again and again.”- Maya Angelou
Paula Burns Palmieri, of Old Saybrook and the mother of Darien Police Detective (and former school resource officer at Darien High School) James Palmieri, passed away on Feb. 7 at her home surrounded by her beloved children and husband. Paula lived a life of love and support for those around her, forever present and available to serve others.
Andrew Heath McWilliams, 36, of Darien died suddenly and way too soon on Feb. 4. He leaves behind the love of his life and wife of eight years, Kelley, and his three children — Tanner, 6, Mackenzie, 4, and Paige, 18 months. Andrew was born April 15, 1980 in Essex Fells, NJ to Alexander (Sandy) McWilliams and Jane Sala McWilliams. He graduated from West Essex High School in 1998 where he excelled as a student-athlete and went on to earn a B.A. in history from Colgate University and play varsity football. Andrew began his career in the financial services industry with Chapdelaine, moved to Creditex, and was a bond broker for Tullett Prebon in New York at the time of his death. ___________
— an obituary from the Edward Lawrence Funeral Home
___________
He centered a vast network of extended family and a formidable group of friends.
Marie Helen Smoltz passed away at her home in Darien on Saturday, Feb. 4, after an extended battle with Alzheimer’s disease. Marie was born in New York in 1941, raised in Worcester, Mass. and lived in Darien for the last 43 years. She vowed she would never leave Darien, especially Noroton Bay, which was a great source of comfort and caring.
Robert R. O’Neill of Bridgeport and Pawcatuck passed away on Thursday Feb. 2 after a battle with a short and unexpected illness. He was 65 years old. He was born Nov. 10, 1951 in Stamford, son of the late Richard and Ann O’Neill (Yeruc).
Bridget Lyons McGuire, 41, passed away Wednesday, Feb. 2, surrounded by her loving family at her home in Framingham, Mass. She fought a courageous battle against cancer with grace, dignity, and above all, hope. Bridget, born Feb. 24, 1975, was raised in Darien and stayed in touch with many Darien High School friends.
Michael “Mike” Krak, a former golf professional at Wee Burn Country Club, has passed away and is scheduled to have a memorial service on Saturday, Feb. 11, in Palm Beach, Fl. Born in what is now the Slovak Republic, Mike’s family settled in Weirton, W.V., He attended Weirton High School, then West Virginia University, graduating in 1948. While attending WVU, he captained the golf team for three years. He was elected to the Physical Education School Hall of Fame in 2005.
Timothy Auer, 67, died unexpectedly at Danbury Hospital with his family by his side on Tuesday, Jan. 31. Tim was born April 20, 1949, in Stamford to George and Elizabeth Auer. He lived in Darien, Bethel and Danbury, worked at Sperry Rail and retired from Pitney Bowes in 2004. Survivors include his wife of over 40 years, Star (Macomber) Auer; his two children, Kristi Upton and her husband, Shawn of Sutton, N.H., and Chad Auer and his fiancé Jordin Olson of Danbury; and his three grandchildren, Xander Upton, Elizabeth Upton, and Autumn Olson, and many loving friends and cousins.
Nancy Shea, 76, beloved wife of George Shea, was called to her eternal resting place on Jan. 27. She entered this world on Sept. 26, 1940 in Buffalo, NY, born to Eugene and Wanda Anne Miller. Nancy was predeceased by her parents.
Peter Joseph Fitzpatrick, 52, of Darien passed away on Saturday, Jan. 28 at home. Peter was born Sept. 20, 1964 in Providence, R.I. to Dr. Donald Peter Fitzpatrick and the late Rita Kelley Fitzpatrick. He graduated from Classical High School in 1982 in Providence and went on to earn his bachelor of arts, Cum Laude, from the University of Vermont in 1986, where he played varsity lacrosse.
Alan “Lanny” Openshaw, Jr., 70, passed away peacefully at his Marvin, N.C. home on Jan. 20. Lanny grew up in Rowayton, always dear to him. He graduated from Brien McMahon High School and California Western University (USIU), San Diego, enjoying a semester traveling with professors through seven Asian countries. Lanny was a state platform tennis champion ranked nationally within the top 10.
Lee “Poldi” Stevenson, a 30 year resident of Darien, died peacefully on Jan. 24. Her entire family was by her side when she passed. Her strength and joyful spirit prevailed as her room was filled with love and laughter through her final moments. She is survived by her husband of 62 years, John Buchanan Stevenson III; her son and daughter-in-law, John and Jayme Stevenson of Darien; her son and daughter-in-law, Doug and Gabrielle Stevenson of Southport; her daughter and son-in-law, Joan and Don McDonald of Bellevue, Wash.; and her 13 grandchildren: Alexandra, DL, Samantha, Ross, Kendall, Charlett, Amanda, Brett, McKenna, Ian, Hailey, John V and Kyle.
Tatjana Freelove was a resident of Darien for the last decade. She passed away at home on Thursday, Jan. 26 after a hard fought battle with cancer over the past five years. Tatjana was born in Paris, France on Aug. 11, 1968 to Antje Vanjak and Marija Drazic; both of Croatia.
Pauline “Polly” Anderson Sammis, 84, died peacefully on Jan. 23, 2017, at her home in Bradenton Fl. Polly was born in 1932 in the town of Newton, Mass., to Herbert Theodore Anderson and Ellen Smith. Polly graduated from William Smith College in 1954 and went on to obtain her masters degree in teaching in 1956 from Boston University. In 1956 Polly married William Nason Sammis of Darien, CT and lived in Simsbury, where they raised their two children.