It is with deep sadness that we share the passing of George Werbesky Jr. on Nov. 2. He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather, leaving behind a legacy of love and special moments. George, better known to his loved ones as Baldy, was born on Feb. 28, 1949 to George Werbesky Sr. and Martha Maleski Werbesky in Darien.
Josephine Calvi (née Calve), beloved wife of the late Philip Calvi, passed away on Nov. 20, 2023. A longtime Darien resident, Jo graduated from Darien High School in 1963 and Colorado Women’s College in 1967. Jo enjoyed a successful restaurant career alongside Philip before his passing. Next, always a lover of fashion, Jo embarked on a personal career in retail which ended with her retirement after 17 years at Lord & Taylor.
Dawn Lynch of New Canaan passed peacefully at her home on Sept. 25. She was born in Charles City, Iowa to Don and Alda Mallery in 1962. She grew up in Rudd, Iowa on the family farm. She graduated from Rudd-Rockford-Marble Rock High School in 1980.
Penelope (Penny) Merritt Glassmeyer, builder, visionary, tenacious champion of good ideas and good people in ways big and small, died peacefully at home, in Darien, Thursday, Aug. 24, surrounded by her husband, Ed, her five children, extended family and friends. She was 82. Penny was a longtime Darien resident and community leader for her redevelopment of downtown Darien, including, notably, Grove Street Plaza, and for her humble philanthropy. Driven by a sharp intelligence, a no-nonsense efficiency and a fierce commitment to excellence in every detail, she combined an ability to spot talent and possibilities then assemble and lead a team of best-in-class craftspeople and workers to transform blights in our town to things of beauty, with passion, grit, humor and heart.
Joan Kirwin Satterley passed away peacefully on Aug. 27, surrounded by family at Good Shepherd Hospice in Rockville Centre, New York, the town where she was born and raised. She was 93. Affectionately known as Didi, Joan was born on March 4, 1930, to James Joseph Kirwin, Jr. and Agnes Byrns Kirwin. After graduating from Hewitt Elementary School and South Side High School, she attended Adelphi University, where she was a member of the Tri Delta National Sorority.
Janice Seng Shaker died peacefully on Friday, Aug. 25, in Darien. Janice was 100 years old and was predeceased in 2005 by her husband, Theodore (Ted) Frederick Shaker. She was one of a kind. Janice lived a wonderful life.
Lee-Clark Norsworthy Robbins, 48, of Kirksey, Kentucky, passed away Saturday, June 10. She was 48. She was born on June 23, 1974, in Chicago, Illinois. Lee graduated from Greenwich Country Day School and Greenwich High School. There, she was a formidable athlete, gaining honorable mention in all-state lacrosse.
Roger Bacon passed away peacefully at his home in Darien on July 19, 2023 at the age of 86. Roger graduated from King School in Stamford and attended the University of Connecticut in Storrs. He worked at Machlett Laboratories and Perkin Elmer before starting Super Handy Hardware in the Glenville section of Greenwich. He retired from the hardware business after 35 fulfilling years. Roger is survived by his wife, Georgia Meehan Bacon; a son, Mike Bacon of New Canaan and five grandchildren: Ashley Blackmer of Farmville, North Carolina; Taylor Bellagamba (husband Mike) of West Hartford; Kohlby Riendeau (husband Matt) of Fairfield; Kristyn Bacon of Barcelona, Spain; and Andrew Bacon of Leland, North Carolina. There are also five great-grandchildren. His family will deeply miss him.
Grace (Geertjen) Hoets, a resident of Mystic and formerly a long-time resident of Darien, passed away peacefully on June 22, 2023 surrounded by her children and grandchildren at Lawrence & Memorial Hospital in New London. She was 91 and remained alert until her last days. Starting life’s journey, Grace was born in 1932 in Gouda, the Netherlands. She was the second child of the late Dr. J.A.M. De Decker and the late Geertjen Stuy-De Decker of the Hague, the Netherlands. She grew up in the Hague, where she met and married her husband Pieter J. Hoets also of the Hague — their marriage spanned 61 years.
Melissa McCall, age 72, of Columbus, North Carolina passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, July 16. She was born on June 29, 1951 in New York City to the late Janet Jones McCall and the late Julien L. McCall, who passed away recently at the age of 100. Melissa grew up in Darien and graduated from Ashley Hall in Charleston, South Carolina, Mount Vernon Junior College, and University of Indiana. Melissa is survived by her loving sister, Alison G. McCall of Lyme; a brother, Lash McCall of Pawleys Island, South Carolina and Lake Wales, Florida; a nephew, Blinn L. Cushman of Charlotte, North Carolina, his wife, Anna, and their twins, Julien and Alexandra; a niece, Julia L. Curry of Old Brookville, New York, her husband, Bill, and their two children, Wick and Caroline; and a nephew, Andrew M. Cushman of Washington, D.C., and his wife, Jenny. Melissa is also survived by her two beloved cats, Dude and Alvin.
John (“Jack”) Watson Braitmayer, of Marion, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on Friday, July 14, 2023. He was 93. Jack was born in Ridgewood, New Jersey to Otto E. Braitmayer and Marian Schoeffel Braitmayer on Feb. 2, 1930 and grew up in Marion alongside his twin sister Anne. He was a graduate of Tabor Academy and Wesleyan University.
Jennifer Johnson passed away on June 29, surrounded by her loving family after a long battle with Alzheimer’s. She was 80. She was born in England on June 27, 1943, the only child of George and Florence Clarkson. She grew up with the hardships of World War II and its aftermath in England. Her father, a commando, was away fighting in East Asia and did not meet her until she was two years old.
John Stephen Geoghegan a long time Darien resident, died on Tuesday May 9, 2023 at his home. He was 98 years young. Born Feb. 11, 1925 in Memphis, he was the son of John and Lily Geoghegan. John worked at Norden Systems for many years in Norwalk.
Michael A. Caputo, a lifetime resident of Darien,, passed away April 27, 2023. He was 82. He is survived by his spouse, Carol (Procaccini) Caputo, and son Michael L Caputo both of Darien. Michael was predeceased by his parents, Mary (Miceli) Caputo and Louis S. Caputo. A Darien High School class of 1960 graduate, he attended Pace University and the American Institute of Banking.
Margaret M. Harrington on April 29, 2023 after a long and fulfilling life. She was 94. Marge was born in Brooklyn, New York on April 20, 1929 to John (Jack) and Margaret (Maggie) McCabe. She attended Fontbonne Hall Academy in Brooklyn on an academic scholarship. Later she and her family supported the school’s scholarship fund.