Jeanne Gildea Brannelly

BRANNELLY Jeanne Gildea Brannelly, died peacefully Wednesday evening, in her home in Fairfield surrounded by her family and her precious puppy, Bailey, after an amazing 16 month battle with cancer, dubbed the 'Miracle on Melville.' Jeanne was born in Bridgeport to Mark A. Gildea, MD and C. Caroline Stayer. She graduated from St. Patrick's School, Academy of Our Lady of Mercy, Lauralton Hall, Marymount College, University of Bridgeport and St. Joseph's College. She lived in Bridgeport her entire life before moving to Fairfield eight years ago. She married Attorney John M. Brannelly in 1955. Together they raised a family of eight, were involved in politics on the local and state levels, and had tremendous fun with their family and friends. Jeanne enjoyed the political life along side her husband who served his community in many capacities including City Clerk of the City of Bridgeport. She was sadly widowed in 1981. Jeanne taught grammar school at Blackham, Hall and Barnum Schools. She served on the Democratic State Central Committee and the Bridgeport Town Committee. In 1986, she had bestowed upon her Lauralton Hall's highest honor - the Claven Award. In 1994, she retired from teaching, began as a volunteer tutor at the Mercy Learning Center in Bridgeport and also volunteered at St. Vincent's Medical Center Seton Shop. Jeanne was a member of the Gaelic-American Club, an officer of the Greater Bridgeport Retired Teacher's Association and a parishioner of Assumption Church. Her life was personified by special friendships, as she was still very close to her three childhood friends, the Lunch Bunch, and her Bridge Club at Dogwood Green. She loved dogs, sunshine and spent much of her leisure time traveling worldwide or relaxing at the beach. She loved her grandchildren and was proud of all their accomplishments. She was predeceased by her parents; her husband, John; and her dear brother, Mark G. Gildea. Survivors include her children, former Bridgeport City Clerk Attorney Catherine B. Austin and Attorney Thomas C. (Tripp and Christopher) of Cheshire; Maura B. O'Malley and Denis (Kevin, Jack, Denis and Brendan) of Bridgeport, Eileen M. Callahan and Tim (Patrick, Colleen and Daniel) of Fairfield, Patrick J. Brannelly and Maria (David and Susie) of Malden, Mass., Jeanne B. Kalina and Bob (Michael and Brian) of Fairfield, City Council Member Susan T. Brannelly of Bridgeport, Sheila B. Forgacs and Shaun (Andrew, Natalie, Jordan and Andrew) of Georgia, and former City Council Member John Brannelly Jr. and David Ivanko of San Diego; Edna Welch of Bridgeport; her in-laws, Laura M. Gildea of Bridgeport, Maureen F. Brannelly of Milford, Edward Fenton of Wallingford and Mary and Robert Sullivan of Trumbull; and her many treasured nieces and nephews and their children. Funeral services will take place Wednesday, April 15, 2009 at 10 a.m. in the Abriola Parkview Funeral Home, 419 White Plains Road, Trumbull, and at 11 a.m. in Our Lady of the Assumption Church, Fairfield for a Mass of Christian Burial. Interment will follow in St. Michael Cemetery, Stratford. Friends may call Tuesday from 3 to 8 p.m. To honor her love of education, in lieu of flowers, please make memorial contributions to the Bridgeport Public Education Fund, 446 University Avenue, Bridgeport, CT 06604. To light a virtual candle, visit us at www.abriola.com.