Mary-Elizabeth Danehy

Mary-Elizabeth (Miller) Danehy passed away peacefully at home at the age of 81 on Tuesday, September 12, 2017. Liz was surrounded by her husband, James Danehy, as well as her loving children. She was the daughter of the late Arthur and Margaret (Smith) Miller from whom she received all of her graces.

Liz was a spirited woman who had a kind smile and a warm openness. Among Liz’s values were family, education, fun and creativity. Liz valued education both for herself and as her career choice. She was a long-time classroom and reading teacher with the West Haven Public Schools before retiring in 1997. Liz had a ‘buy and hold’ strategy about life, especially evidenced by things she cherished like her marriage of 61 years to her beloved husband, James Danehy, and her decision to keep her parents’ summer home at Lake Waramaug as a place for the family to enjoy. Liz loved a challenge whether it was out-driving her husband on the golf course; earning her bachelor, master or sixth year degrees later in life; or wrestling with diabetes for 37 years. She took special pride in quietly opening doors for others so that they might find success, or in creating something from nothing. In that process, Liz was quick to share her skills and talents so that others might learn.

Liz was the mother of seven children, fourteen grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren. She loved and will be missed by all of her children:  Susan Danehy of West Haven; Teresa Reilly and her partner, Jeff Evans of Guilford; her son, Timothy Danehy, and his wife, Lynn, of Henderson, North Carolina; Mary-Elizabeth Doucet and her husband, Joseph, of Grantham, NH; and Thomas Danehy and his wife, Maria Malfa of West Hartford. She was predeceased by her two infant daughters, Margaret Mary and Mary Margaret. She will also be missed by her grand-children, Julia Danehy; Caitlin and Michael Reilly; Brittney, Zachary, Reed, and Callie Danehy; Matthew, Kathryn, Mary and Maggie Doucet; and Benjamin, Alexandra, and Isabelle Danehy. Liz was predeceased by her two brothers, Robert and Richard Miller. She is survived by her two brothers, Arthur and Alan Miller, and two sisters, Margaret Crisci and Rosemary Hanson.

The family will receive friends and guests at a Mass of Christian burial at 11:00 AM on Friday, September 15, 2017 at Our Lady of Victory Church, 600 Jones Hill Road, West Haven. Interment will be a St. Lawrence Cemetery immediately following. The family wishes to thank the staff of Vitas of Hospice, for their loving care over the past several months.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Savin Rock Community School Library, West Haven Public Schools, 50 Park Street, West Haven, CT 06516; or the American Diabetes or Alzheimer’s Foundations.

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