Beryl Breen

Breen, Beryl F.
Beryl F. Breen, 89, of Zephyrhills, FL passed away peacefully on September 5, 2013 at Royal Oak Nursing Center in Dade City, FL. Her two sons, Terry Breen and David Breen, were at her bedside when she died. Beryl was born on February 15, 1924 in Norwood, (Middlesex) England, to a close family that included an older brother and three younger sisters. She was very outgoing and a "go-getter" as a young girl and remained so for the rest of her life. She was a Girl Guide in England and enjoyed long bicycle trips to the country with family members and friends. She graduated from school, became employed as a typist, and met her husband-to-be (Philip Breen, a US Army Air Forces Sergeant) at a dance in London. They were married on January 6, 1945 at Holy Trinity Church (a Church of England parish) in Southall. Philip returned to the US in October and Beryl arrived on the Queen Mary the following February. They settled into the family home on Shelton Road in Nichols (Trumbull) CT. Philip returned to his prewar position at Burritt Lumber Company in Bridgeport CT while Beryl cared for her two sons, who were born in May 1946 and December 1947. The family relocated first to Fairfield CT and shortly after to Nichols in the early 1950's. Once the boys were of school age, Beryl wanted to have her own career. She taught herself how to drive a car and then worked at an ENT doctor's office in Bridgeport, CT. To supplement her income, Beryl obtained a real estate broker's license and operated Breen Real Estate out of her home. Beryl was a terrific cook and a great hostess, most notably at a series of lively holiday parties with their wonderful friends in Nichols. She was the life of the party and her laughter could be heard above the din of any large gathering. Beryl was also very active in the community. She was a Sunday School teacher at Nichols Methodist Church, a Cub Scout den mother and involved in the local PTA. The Breens continued to move up in their respective careers in the 1960's. Philip was named Vice President of Young & Halstead in Mt. Kisco NY while Beryl joined Westport Bank & Trust, initially in customer service and soon after as an assistant loan officer. After Young & Halstead closed its doors years later, Philip and Beryl saw an opportunity to get involved in one of their favorite interests, namely antiques. As a result, they purchased Deerfield Antiques in Deerfield MA in 1978 and operated that business for several years. They also brought their goods to antiques shows throughout the Pioneer Valley and beyond. They relocated to Zephyrhills FL in the late 1980's to escape New England's cold winters. While there, Philip ran the 6th Avenue Mobil Home Court in Zephyrhills while Beryl did the Bookkeeping for the business. Although they both retired several years later, Philip enjoyed restoring & selling furniture while Beryl kept busy as usual at antique shows and markets. Beryl eventually gave this up after her beloved husband died in September 2001. Beryl was much loved by family and friends and will remain in our hearts forever. She is survived by her sons, Terry Breen (and his wife Doreen Breen) of Thomaston, CT, David Breen (and his wife Geraldine Breen) of Wimauma, FL; granddaughters Amanda Breen McNally (Clifton, NJ), Jennifer Breen-Gonzalez (Pelham, NY) and Catherine Breen (Thomaston, CT); great-grandchildren Naiya and Akin Gonzalez (Pelham, NY); two sisters in England, Sonia Coats and Edna Richardson; and many nephews and nieces in the US and UK. A celebration of her life will be held after the 10am service on November 24 th at Nichols United Methodist Church, 25 Shelton Road, Trumbull, CT 06614. All family and friends are invited to attend.