Hamden Obituaries: Mary Joy Barrett Walsh, 85

Mary Joy Barrett Walsh of Hamden passed away at Connecticut Hospice on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2014.

She was born April 5, 1928, in Pittston, PA, the daughter of the late Paul and Mary Brann Barrett, and moved to Ansonia when she entered high school.

She was predeceased by her husband of 54 years, Donald J. Walsh, as well as her brother, Paul E. Barrett, Sr., sister, Joan B. Dube, nephew, Paul E. Barrett,Jr., in-laws Jerome and Grace Walsh and brother-in-law William E. Keish,Jr.

She is survived by her children: Sr. Mary Grace Walsh, ASCJ of Bridgeport, Catherine M. Walsh (Deborah Dayo) of Orange, Donald J. Walsh (Jenifer) of Cheshire, and Sr. Anne T. Walsh, ASCJ of Hamden.

She is also survived by her beloved grandchildren Cara Rose and Patrick Barrett Walsh of Cheshire; her sister, Anne B. Belske (Walter) of Seymour; her sisters-in-law, Grace Walsh Barrett of Branford, Jane W. Clark (Wilbur) of Cheshire, Doris Keish of West Haven; brother-in-law, Richard Dube of Cheshire, as well as dear cousins, nieces and nephews and their families, and faithful friends.

Mary Joy attended the University of Connecticut and New Haven State Teachers College to earn her credentials as a teacher and school administrator. She taught in Hartford and Ansonia prior to becoming principal of Lincoln School in Ansonia for five years. After taking time off to raise and form her children, she served as teacher, Vice Principal and Director of Religious Education at St. Aedan School in New Haven for 21 years and then as principal of St. Rose of Lima School in New Haven for 13 years until her retirement in 2003. She was an active member of St. Aedan Parish for 60 years.

Mary Joy was a presenter for the Archdiocese of Hartford on a variety of topics and, with her husband, was a volunteer for the Marriage and Family Life Apostolate and Safe Environment Program of the Archdiocese as well as Springs Learning Center. Mary Joy lived a life of faith and truly epitomized her name.

The Walsh family is grateful to the many people who cared for Mary Joy in the past year with special gratitude to the Apostles of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the staff of Sacred Heart Manor and CT Hospice for their exceptional care.

Relatives and friends are invited to a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Aedan Church, 112 Fountain Street, New Haven on Saturday at 10 a.m. Friends may call at the Sisk Brothers Funeral Home, 3105 Whitney Ave., Hamden, on Friday from 4 - 8 p.m. Interment will be in All Saints Cemetery, North Haven.

If you wish, donations may be made in Mary Joy’s name to the Apostles of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, 295 Benham Street, Hamden, CT 06514. www.siskbrothers.com