Rose A. Harrington

Rose A. Harrington
1937 - 2025
Rose Anne Patricia Theresa (McDonald) Harrington, 88, a long-time resident of Old Greenwich, Connecticut, died in her sleep on Thursday, October 23, 2025. She was the widow of John M. Harrington, who passed in 2023. They had been married for just under 61 years.
Born on February 27, 1937, she grew up in New York City and was the youngest of seven children of Bernard and Rose McDonald. The McDonalds were active members of the Irish community and young Rose marched several times in the city's St. Patrick's Day parade. As a child, she particularly enjoyed roller skating and, as she got older, attending dances (where she would meet her future husband).
Always a good student, Rose obtained a scholarship to Notre Dame College (now part of St. John's University), where she graduated with a B.A. Later in life, she earned a master's degree at Fairfield University. After a short period in the employ of the Social Security Administration, she obtained her teaching certificate and became an elementary school teacher in Clark, New Jersey. Her teaching career paused with the birth of her children, but she still occasionally served as a substitute teacher and later worked with special education students at Dundee School. She later also found work in the insurance industry with Connecticut based brokerages and reinsurers.
She met her husband in Throgs Neck and in 1962, they were married and settled in New Jersey for several years before relocating to Old Greenwich in 1972, where they maintained a residence ever since.
Throughout her life Rose enjoyed reading books and keeping up with current events, old movies, walking, knitting and needlepoint, taking classes at the gym and, most importantly, spending time with family. Always proud of her Irish heritage, she particularly enjoyed lively holiday gatherings with her siblings, who were never timid about lifting their voices in song about the trials and triumphs of the Emerald Isle. In her later years, she developed a strong interest in genealogy and leaves us with several bookshelves of materials tracing the history of her family. A devout Catholic, Rose regularly attended Mass at St. Clements Church throughout her years in Old Greenwich
Rose also enjoyed travel and would often join John on business trips to Europe and the western U.S. Before her marriage, she completed a "Europe on $5/day" adventure with two girlfriends. Later in life, she also enjoyed a memorable tour of Ireland with several siblings and a journey to Russia with her daughter, Catherine. Rose and John maintained a vacation home in Vermont for many years, where they especially enjoyed visits from their granddaughters.
Rose will be remembered by family and friends as a kind and friendly soul. She was a very good listener and very supportive of her husband and children.
Rose is survived by her son, John Harrington and his wife, Jennifer of Bolton, Connecticut, her daughter, Catherine Harrington of New York City, and two granddaughters, Thalia Pileggi and Shannon Mauri. She is also survived by her sister, Eileen Fluhr of Garwood, New Jersey. She was predeceased by her daughter, Mary Harrington.
Her funeral was held on October 30th, with burial at St. Mary's Cemetery in Greenwich.