Elizabeth Lucina “Betty” (Gay) O’Leary, 93, of Wethersfield, CT died at St. Francis Hospital, Friday January 18, 2013, three weeks short of her 94th birthday of complications arising out of congestive heart failure. She was born in Waterbury, CT to the late Harry & Mabel (Keyes) Gay on February 8, 1919, the youngest of their 3 daughters and spent her youth in Springfield, MA. She was married to Francis H. O’Leary for 49 years before his death in 2001. Family lore has it that she met Fran when both of them were working at Associated Engineering and he fell in love with her when he caught her one morning dealing with the “hair of the dog” by sipping out of nearly empty cups left over from the office holiday party. They lived in Somers, CT for thirteen years and Betty was very active in politics there serving for a time as Democratic Town Chairman. She was especially proud of the work she did locally helping JFK be elected as President. The birth of a child with developmental disabilities required a move to Hartford in 1965 to access services and she never looked back becoming a strong advocate to keep Magi in the family and community.



Betty leaves her five children and their families, Jon White, Elin & David Walpole of Glastonbury, Shaun & Diane O’Leary of Wethersfield, Alida Brandon of Petaluma, CA, and Magi O’Leary of Vernon. She was the proud Grammie of Erik White, Nathan & Rachel Walpole, Barbara & Hannah Stockham and Zachary O’Leary and was delighted to be on this earth long enough to become a great grandmother to Cecilia Walpole. Betty never met a baby she didn’t want to hug.



Funeral services and burial will be private. There are no calling hours. It is Betty’s wish to be cremated with her ashes scattered in a private family gathering to be scheduled at a future date. If you would like to honor Betty’s memory you may do so by making a contribution in her name to Horizons, Inc., P.O. Box 323, South Windham, CT 06266. The Paul A. Shaker / Farmingdale Funeral Home, 764 Farmington Avenue, New Britain, Ct. has charge of arrangements. To extend condolences to the O’Leary family or to share a memory of Betty, please visit our website @ shakerfuneralhome.com