Elizabeth W. Symonds

1936 - 2018

Elizabeth W. Symonds, of Tolland, wife of Richard N. Symonds Jr., passed away on August 30, 2018 from leukemia. She was born on September 4, 1936 in Poughkeepsie, New York, the daughter of John F. Wadlin and Beatrice Hasbrouck Wadlin. She graduated cum laude from Syracuse University in 1957 with a degree in business education, later earning her master's degree from the University of Connecticut, Storrs. She was President of her sorority, Alpha Gamma Delta a Syracuse University. She taught at Phoenix High School, Phoenix, NY, Becker Jr. College, Worcester, MA, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Morse School of Business, Hartford, and Manchester Community College, Manchester, from which she retired in 2000. She moved to Tolland from Worcester, MA in1962 working as a paraprofessional substitute at Meadowbrook and Hicks Schools in Tolland for six years while getting her master's degree in 1979. She was a founder of the Tolland Jr. Women's Club, a volunteer member of Literacy Volunteers, and enjoyed bowling on the St. Mathews/Congregational joint league for many years. She was a member and treasurer of the United Church of Tolland, and a member of the Tolland Senior Center and Fire Department Women's Axillary. She enjoyed bowling, knitting, embroidery, reading, traveling, cruising, and being with family, particularly her grandchildren. She was particularly fond of her membership in TOPS of Stafford whose members were most supportive during her illness. She appreciated Dr. Orris, Laura Milikin, and particularly the Vernon Visiting Nurses Association who over saw her Hospice care. She loved to talk about memories and family such as her mother being stuck in a hospital elevator the day she was born, her father as a New York State Assembly Representative, her mother taking over her father's law practice, auto insurance business, and small savings and loan association businesses while being a mother to teenagers upon her father's death, raising animals as a child and following her grandchildren's sports and social events. In addition to her husband of nearly 58 years, she is survived by two children, four grandchildren, one great grandchild and two siblings: Richard N. Symonds, III and wife Kathy of Canton, CT; Robert D. Symonds and wife Sharon of Willington, CT; brother John J. Wadlin and wife Vivian of Highland, NY, and sister Diana DeRoos and husband Leon of Scottsville, NY. Grandchildren include Kristin and Kelsey Symonds of Canton, Heather and Seth of Willington, and great granddaughter Kinsley of Canton. Relatives and friends may join the family on Wednesday, September 5, 2018 between 4 to 7pm at the Tolland Memorial Funeral Home, 375 Merrow Road, Tolland, CT. A Funeral Service will be held on Thursday, September 6, 2018 at 10am at the United Congregational Church of Tolland, 45 Tolland Green, Tolland. Burial will follow at Valley View Cemetery in Tolland. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Tolland Library Association c/o Tolland Library, 21 Tolland Green, Tolland, CT 06084 or the Tolland Fire Department, P. O. Box 827, Tolland, CT 06084. For online condolences please visit www.pietrasfuneralhome.com.