Darien Obituaries November 2016

Obituaries

Jill Goldsack, 73, Raised in Darien, Mother of Three

By David Gurliacci | November 12, 2016

With great sadness we announce the passing of Jill Elisabeth Goldsack of Charleston, S.C on Friday, Nov 4, peacefully at her home on Johns Island, surrounded by her family and dogs. 

Born Jan. 6, 1943 as Jill Elisabeth Raymond, the only daughter of deceased parents Jurgen and Gertrude Raymond of Darien. Born and raised in Darien, Jill attended Low Heywood School in Stamford, Rollins College (1960 to 1962) in Winter Park, Fl., and graduated (Class of ’64) from Finch Women’s College in New York City with a bachelor of arts degree. After some travel and working as a script girl in advertising in New York City, she married Ronald Macdonald Goldsack in 1970, both then relocating to Caledon, Ontario, Canada.  She became a proud mother and nurtured her interests in horses, dogs and gardening. In 1995, she discovered her passion for the south and relocated to Bray’s Island, Sheldon, S.C.  In 2005, she moved to the city of Charleston, spending her summers at her seaside cottage in Harpswell, Maine and her winters golfing in Naples, Fl.

Obituaries

Coleman Alexa, 97, Darien Teacher, Built Several of His Own Homes

By David Gurliacci | November 12, 2016

Coleman J. Alexa, 97, of Palm City, Fl., passed away peacefully on Monday, Nov. 7 under the tender loving care of Treasure Coast Hospice. He had taught 9th grade students in Darien public schools. He was born on Oct. 9, 1919 in Fairfield to Vera and Andrew Alexa.

Obituaries

Susie Arana, 54, Teacher, Mother of Five, Grew Up in Darien

By David Gurliacci | November 11, 2016

Susie Arana, of Kingston, Mass., passed away on Nov. 8. She was 54. Susie was born March 25, 1962 in Boston, Mass., the daughter of William and Faith Gray and Bill and Nancy Turner. She grew up in Darien before moving to Boston and later settling in Duxbury, Mass.

Obituaries

Georgie Brown, 91, Initiated First Library at Baker School, Active in First Congregational Church

By David Gurliacci | November 11, 2016

On Monday, Nov. 7, Georgie Brown passed away peacefully with her husband of 68 years, Don Brown holding her hand. She was 91. Everyone who knew her was touched by her compassion, her philanthropy and her lifelong service to others. Born on Jan.

Obituaries

Gail Hathaway, 79, Worked at Darien Library, Sang with Blue Notes

By David Gurliacci | November 11, 2016

Gail Oglee Hathaway, age 79, of Yarmouth Port, Mass. and Wellfleet, Mass., formerly of Darien, passed away peacefully on Nov. 4 at Brighton Gardens in Stamford, surrounded by her three loving sons ending a 10-year, off-and-on-battle with lung cancer. Born in Philadelphia to the late Frank and Dorothy Humphries Oglee, she had resided in Darien, raising her family before moving off on her own to her beloved Cape Cod. As a young girl, Gail had a love for family, academics, music, art, literature and her parents’ retirement home (Windsong) in Wellfleet.

Obituaries

Janet Montgomery, 83, Textile Designer, Mother of Three, Active in Civic, Church Groups

By David Gurliacci | November 11, 2016

Janet Brendel Montgomery, a resident of Darien, passed away peacefully on Thursday, Nov. 3 in Darien. She was 83. Born on Aug. 2, 1933 in Quincy, Mass., she was the daughter of the late Emelyn and Louis Brendel.

Obituaries

Marlene Sagnelli, 82, Former Darien Resident Who Worked in Darien Schools

By David Gurliacci | November 8, 2016

Marlene A. Sagnelli passed away on Nov. 5. She was 82. Born March 27, 1934 in Stamford to Anna and William Morganstern, she was raised in Stamford, where she met her husband of 64 years. They resided in Darien until relocating to Cumming, Ga.

Obituaries

Helen Jennings, 94, Former Darien Resident

By David Gurliacci | November 6, 2016

Helen Elaine Jennings died at home at the Marshes of Skidaway Island, Ga. on Sunday, Oct. 31.  She was born on Oct. 3, 1922 in Denver. She was married to the late William Champe Jennings for 53 years.  She and her husband lived in Darien, Sydney, Australia and Columbia, S.C.

Jennings is survived by one daughter and two sons-in law: Mr. and Mrs. A. Daniel Wolff III of Jacksonville, Florida and Mr. W. Lloyd Wood of Savannah, Ga.; five granddaughters: Mrs. Thomas H. Ellis of Atlanta, Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Zeigler of Columbia, S.C., Mr. and Mrs. Robert Poitros of Chapel Hill, N.C., Ms. Dana Elaine Wolff of San Francisco, Mr. and Mrs. Sean Campbell of Denver; and two great-grandchildren: Tommy and Elizabeth Ellis of Atlanta.

Obituaries

Mary Ann McClellan, 102, Worked in Darien Schools

By David Gurliacci | November 4, 2016

Mary Ann D’Acunto McClellan passed away at Notre Dame Convalescent Home in Norwalk on Thursday, Nov. 3, at the age of 102. She was born in Darien on Sept. 25, 1914. She was the daughter of the late Philip and Mary Mallozzi D’Acunto.