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Mary Gajda Obituary
She was born Mary Ellen Wheeler on Sept. 2, 1926, in New London, the daughter of Martin Wheeler and Mary (Sauersopf) Wheeler. She attended Williams Memorial Institute and worked as an operator for the telephone company and Lawrence + Memorial Hospital for over 20 years. She was also a member of the German Club and the VFW Ladies Auxiliary.
Mary Ellen married her beloved husband, Michael Gayda in August 1958, and enjoyed 50 wonderful years together until his passing in 2009.
She leaves behind her son, Michael Gayda, daughter-in-law, Margaret of Waterford; granddaughter, Ashly Akins and husband, Scott, and great-grandson, Christopher of Nantucket, Mass.; grandson, Kyle Gayda and his wife, Rosemary, of Waterford; her "daughter like" niece, Joann Harper and husband, Stephen, of Waterford; nephew, Dr. Greg Canney and wife, Donna, of Clearwater, Fla.; nieces, Deborah Wright of Canterbury, Kelly Palmer of Moosup, Sondra Brickmore and Deborah Colosi, of Pennsylvania; sisters-in-law, Sue Wheeler of Niantic and Magdeline Olinger of Pennsylvania.
She was predeceased by her son, Robert Gayda; her sister, Barbara Wheeler Canney; brother, Robert Wheeler; and niece, Robin White.
Mary Ellen loved her family deeply! She enjoyed bingo with her friends and faithfully attended Mass at Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Quaker Hill.
The family would like to extend a grateful thank you to Fairview for their competent and compassionate care in her final days.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Thursday in Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, with interment following in St. Mary Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Quaker Hill or Fairview in Groton.
The Thomas L. Neilan & Sons Funeral Home is assisting the family.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Mary Gajda
3 Entries
Diane Holmes
August 13, 2015
Sorry to hear about Skip, she was always smiling and so nice. My thoughts are with you and the family
August 12, 2015
Mary Ellen was a wonderful person and neighbor. May you have peace knowing that now she is with Mike.
Kim and David Blair
August 12, 2015
With Deepest Sympathy to the Family,
The Officers and Members of the 4th District Ladies Auxiliary to the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
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Thomas L. Neilan & Sons Funeral Home - New London12 Ocean Avenue, New London, CT 06320
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