Darien Obituaries 2025
Halsey Whitney obit obituary

Halsey Whitney, 66, DHS Class of ’78, Loved Geology, Sailing, Skiing, Tennis; Red Cross Volunteer

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It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Halsey Whitney, 66, a remarkable individual who set sail May 20, 2025. 

Born on April 10, 1959, Halsey was a lighthouse of love, intelligence, sensitivity and inventiveness. His unwavering spirit and gentle demeanor enriched the lives of all his crew — family, friends, colleagues and like sailors — who were fortunate to have known him. In 1983, Halsey distinguished himself as a graduate in geology from The College of Wooster, Ohio and earned an MBA from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Halsey worked for Prime Energy Corporation. His passion for the natural world extended into his personal and professional life.

Darien Obituaries 2025
William Surette obit obituary

William Surette, 97, an Industrious, Independent Youth Who Became a Senior Executive, Loved Boating, Travel, Broadway

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William Federhen Surette passed away on April 6, 2025, in his 97th year. He shared a long and joyful retirement in Vero Beach with his beloved wife of 74 years, Margaret (Peggy) Stegmaier Surette. Born in Boston on Jan. 19, 1928, Bill grew up in the city and showed early signs of industriousness and independence. As a boy, he joined the Y.M.C.A. and spent weekends at Scoutland, where he and a friend built a cabin to use during the winters.

Darien Obituaries 2025
Deborah Salerno obit obituary

Deborah Moran, 57, Teacher and Director at St John Preschool, Ran Marathons, Loved World Travel

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It is with a heavy heart that we share the passing of Deborah C. Moran (Salerno), 57, who passed away on May 27. Born on Jan. 9, 1968, in Yonkers, New York, she was the eldest daughter of the late John Salerno and Nancy (Long) Echlin. Debbie was surrounded by constant love from her husband, children and friends. She courageously battled breast cancer 24 years ago, at the age of 33, with three small children, and triumphantly survived.

Darien Obituaries 2025
Patricia Bruhn obit obituary

Patricia Bruhn, 91, Wrote, Acted, Volunteered, Played the Ukelele, Created Art, Enjoyed Sailing

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Patricia Bruhn, a resident of Darien, passed away peacefully at home at the age of 91 on May 8, surrounded by her loving family. She was born Patricia Anne Ruth Brown on Jan. 16, 1934, in Toronto, Canada to Ethel and Harold Brown, and was predeceased by her two older brothers, Bud and Bill (Carolyn) Brown. After graduating high school in Gananoque, Ontario, Pat attended Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario. She began her career as a copywriter in the advertising department at Canada’s large T. Eaton Company in Toronto in the 1950s.

Darien Obituaries 2025
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Susan Patterson, 89, Avidly Kept in Touch with Family and Many Friends, Loved the Intimacy of Small Town Life

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It’s with heavy hearts that we share that Susan Patterson left this earth on May 15, 2025 quickly and peacefully with loved ones by her side. Susan was born in Detroit, Michigan on Feb. 5, 1936 to Sherod Blanchard Scott and Louise Pike Scott. An adored only child, she proceeded to make her beloved first cousins and closest friends her honorary siblings. Susan lived for long chats on the phone and reveled in the happy news of others.

Darien Obituaries 2025
Barbara White obit obituary Babs White

Barbara White, 99, Curated Museum of Darien’s Costume Collection, Which Had Been Named After Her

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Barbara White passed away at her home in New Canaan, Conn., on May 16, 2025, of natural causes. She was 99. Born in Camden, New Jersey, on June 25, 1925, to Robert E. and Ella O’Donovan, Barbara, known to friends and family as Babs, grew up in Montclair, New Jersey, where she attended Montclair Kimberley Academy. Her mother, a successful visual artist, no doubt sowed the seeds for Babs’ own passion for painting, design and fashion. She earned a bachelor’s degree in art history from Smith College in 1946 and subsequently landed a job as a fashion illustrator at Women’s Wear Daily.

Darien Obituaries 2025
Thomas Brayton obit obituary

Thomas Brayton, 82, Teacher, Coach, Worked in Public Relations, Petroleum Industry; Loved Tennis, Squash

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Thomas Mark Brayton, beloved husband of Friede Bliss Brayton, passed away on May 17, 2025 at age 82 after a brief illness. Born Oct. 29, 1942, in Bath, New York, Tom was the son of the late Haswell Potter (Pete) Brayton, Jr. and Dorothy (Dot) Carr Brayton. He grew up in Herkimer, New York, and attended Eaglebrook School, graduated from Phillips Academy and then Princeton University, majoring in classics. Tom’s career took him from teaching and coaching, to public relations, on to the oil business and then back to teaching.

Darien Obituaries 2025
Margaret Avison Peg Avison obituary obit

Margaret ‘Peg’ Avison, 97, Worked in Graphic Design, Lifelong Painter, Avid Skier, Tokeneke Club Member

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Margaret “Peg” Callaway Avison of Darien passed away peacefully on May 17, 2025 at the age of 97. Margaret “Peg” Avison, 97, passed away on May 17. A celebration of life event will be held on July 11. A resident of Rowayton and Darien for 70 years, she was a talented artist and beloved mother and grandmother who lived a life surrounded by family, friends and laughter. Born June 23, 1927 to the late Catherine C. and Guy M.Callaway, she was raised in Westfield, New Jersey, maintaining lifelong friendships with her elementary school classmates.

Darien Obituaries 2025
Michael Ziegler obituary obit

Michael Ziegler, 94, Loved History and Jazz, Enjoyed Gardening, Active in United Church of Rowayton

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Michael S. Ziegler, of Darien, passed away on May 8, 2025 at the age of 94. All who knew Michael will remember his big personality, great sense of humor, and love of history and jazz music. Michael’s life was marked by his service in the U.S. Army, an education at Ohio’s Wilmington College, and a career in advertising, throughout which he made lifelong friends. Upon having their daughters Elizabeth and Margaret, he and wife Joanne settled in Darien where, well into his 80s, he could be found working in the garden and remodeling his infamous stone walls. Michael was a devoted member of the United Church of Rowayton since 1964, serving on and chairing several committees and becoming an original member of the caregiving ministry.

Darien Obituaries 2025
Sandra Lovegrove obituary obit

Sandra Lovegrove, 88, Tai Chi Instructor, Wee Burn and Darien Boat Club Member, Loved Skeet Shooting, Golfing, Tennis

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Sandra Lovegrove, a longtime Darien resident, passed away surrounded by family on May 1, 2025. She was 88. She was born in Jamaica, Queens on April 17, 1937, to James Libby Littlefield and Edna (Berggren) Littlefield. Sandra was raised in Floral Park, New York, went to Sewanhaka High School and summered in York Beach, Maine. As a teenager she worked at The Goldenrod in York Beach, tending the soda fountain and selling boxes of their famous candies.

Darien Obituaries 2025
Obit

Rolf Swensen, Librarian, Author, Professional Organist, Conversationalist, Walked 6 Miles a Day

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Rolf H. Swensen passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 22, in Darien. Rolf was a man of wide-ranging interests and deep intellect. He enjoyed hiking, camping, swimming, reading, gardening, and playing both the piano and the organ. A marvelous storyteller and conversationalist, he brought insight and warmth to every conversation. He swam three times a week and walked six miles a day, delighting in the outdoors and forming close bonds with neighbors — especially their dogs, whose names he knew and to whom he generously offered treats.

Darien Obituaries 2025
Benedict Smith III obit obituary

Benedict Smith II, 89, Financial Advisor, Married 50 Years, Active Volunteer, Longtime Darien Resident

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Benedict Nelson Smith, II, born March 25, 1935 in New York City to the late Lucinda Huffman and Ralph C. Smith and a longtime resident of Darien, died on March 11. He was 89. He graduated from Middlesex School in Concord, Massachusetts and the University of Colorado. He started his 37-year career in personal wealth management at Fairfield County Trust Co. (now Wells Fargo Bank).