Esther M. Eddy

Esther M. Eddy, 98, a longtime resident of Newington, CT, passed away on Monday, July 18, 2022. She was Professor Emeritus at Greater Hartford Community College, Instructor at Teachers College of CT, owner and director of the Red Rock Nursery School, and a real estate broker. She was the beloved wife of the late Frank V. Eddy for 53 years. When her husband died, she continued the ownership and management of the Century 21 Eddy Real Estate business. She was the daughter of Eugene and Onorina Mangone. She was a graduate of what is now Central CT State University, Columbia University, the University of CT, and the G.R.I. Program. At CCSU, she was an instructor in the Supervision of Student Teachers and programs in Elementary Education. At Greater Hartford Community College, she set up the College Reading Program, the Reading Lab and the Learning Center. In addition, she created, wrote, then implemented and directed the ASTRA Program, a federally funded program designed to assist the high risk student. Over the years, she was very involved not only in her home and family, in education, in the real estate business, but also, in community, civic and church activities. In the Kiwanis Club, she was the organization's first woman president. Here she was active in the Kiwanis Key Club at Newington High School. For the Town of Newington, she was the chairperson of the Newington American Revolution Bicentennial Commission in 1976. This Bicentennial was widely celebrated throughout the country. The United States President Richard Nixon and the Nation were strongly publicizing the history of our nation. During this Bicentennial year, the commission planned 107 celebrations for the Town of Newington. As a lasting memorial, her commission, through the establishment of the Newington Historical Trust, was instrumental in acquiring the Kellogg Eddy House to become the Newington Historical Museum. On July 4, 1976, Newington was aglow with activities galore. For people of Newington, Newington was the place in which to celebrate. The opening of the museum was quite a celebration. Nationally and locally the bells were ringing. The Women's Club members, garbed in colonial costumes, hosted the various rooms of the museum. Citizens were gathering on the lawn. Dignitaries Mary Joseph Doyle, Roger Eddy, Robert Lienhard, and Esther Eddy were giving their speeches and circulated amongst the crowd. Children were playing their many games. And a great big birthday cake was celebrated, cut and distributed. Punch was served. Newingtonites were waiting on the Town green for the hot air balloon to arrive. This was a great big day of celebration for the town and for the country. In 1987, Esther served as chairperson of the Newington Bicentennial of the United States Constitution Committee. This committee, as a lasting memorial, effected the designation of the Town Center as Constitution Square. For this celebration, gingko trees and cherry trees were planted to celebrate the Bicentennial of the American Presidency (from George Washington to George Bush). Serving on the Town Parks and Recreation Commission, she was the liaison to the Town's Museum. Esther had been very active in her church. This was the time when women Deacons were first elevated to be on an equal status with the men. The women Deaconesses were finally permitted to meet with the men Deacons as one body. Women were now elevated to serve as Trustees of the Church. For the first time, women were also elevated to serve communion. She wrote the first Handbook for the Diaconate. She served as Chairman of the Board of Deacons and Chairman of the Board of Trustees. She also served on the Christian Education Committee. When her children Joshua and Norah were enrolled in school, she became active in the schools' PTA, serving as president. She and her family spent many summers traveling. She is survived by her son, Rev. Joshua Eddy and his wife Glenda, grandson, Joshua Caleb Eddy and his wife Amanda; her great grandsons Harrison and Mark; and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her daughter Norah Eddy, her five sisters, Caroline Avignone, Enis Gaioni, Lillian Battisto, Ruth Gallo and Violet Motola; her sisters-in-law Stella Eddy and Dorothy Carey and her brothers-in-law, Dr. Jack Battisto, Manny Motola, Guido Gallo, Frank Avignone and Dom Gaioni. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Frank V. Eddy and Esther M. Eddy Ministry Fund at the Church of Christ Congregational, 1075 Main St., Newington, CT 06111 or the Newington Historical Museum Director Fund at the Kellogg Eddy House, 679 Willard Ave., Newington, CT 06111. Relatives and friends are invited to call on Monday, July 25th, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at the Duksa Family Funeral Homes at Newington Memorial, 20 Bonair Ave., Newington. Her funeral service will be held on Tuesday, July 26th at 10:30 a.m. at the Church of Christ, Congregational. She will be laid to rest beside her husband in Center Cemetery, Newington. To share a memory, please visit us at www.duksa.net.