Ellen Balinskas

Obituary of Ellen Balinskas
Ellen Wiley Balinskas (O'Connor) was reunited with her late husband Donald Balinskas on November 4, 2025 – election day. She was a huge fan of the USA, the American Flag, red white and blue, and the right to vote. Through her sheer determination and unrelenting work ethic she overcame hardships, contributed meaningfully to her family/community, connected with everyone she encountered, and always shared a smile and a kind word. She was 91.
Ellen was born August 14, 1934 in Brooklyn, NY to the late James and Ruth (Wiley) O'Connor. She was the oldest of 5 children. The family had a few moves between NY and NH and eventually to Cheshire, CT to be closer to the School for the Deaf for her brother Mike. Ellen graduated high school in New Hampshire and then graduated from the University of New Hampshire in 1956 with a degree in physical education. With her parents and family now living in CT, she took a job at Berlin High School as a gym teacher and cheerleading coach. There she met Don (an English teacher and University of Notre Dame graduate). They were married in 1964, bought their home in Southington and welcomed their only child (Beth) in 1968.
Ellen was a stay-at-home mom with Beth from 1968 to 1980 when the unexpected death of her husband (cancer) at 47 placed significant demands upon her. Always rising to the occasion, Ellen returned to the workforce first as a substitute teacher in Southington and then as a personal lines manager for 15 years at The Hartford until her retirement in 1999 at age 65.
In May 2002 she moved from Southington to Marlborough, CT – just prior to the birth of her only grandchild. Austin was the light of her life, and being just down the road, she was able to help with daycare and visited regularly - just because. The two will always share a special bond. While in Marlborough she also volunteered at the polls on election day. She moved to one-floor living in Berlin in July 2020 and then to her final residence at The Lodge at Cold Spring in Rocky Hill, where she loved attending the musical/singing performances.
Ellen was a very social person and made lifelong connections wherever she went. She was happiest when surrounded by her family and friends. This included hosting/cooking over 50 Thanksgivings, Christmas Eves with the Balinskas family in East Berlin, O'Connor reunion trips to Cape Cod, birthdays/vacations with her grandson – including her only plane ride to Walt Disney World. She enjoyed lunches with her sister-in-law Maxine and past work colleagues, and any reason to enjoy the culinary wizardry of the Balinskas men. She was a dedicated UCONN Huskies basketball fan (always suited up in her UCONN sweatshirt for games), keeping box scores for the women's games and rooting on the men. She attended several championship parades in Hartford and a women's pep rally in Storrs. One of her last trips was in May 2024 to witness a long-awaited milestone when Austin graduated from Stonehill College in Easton, MA. Her favorite vacations spots were Cape Cod and Fryeburg, Maine, where her mother was from.
Ellen is survived by her daughter Beth Dupre and her husband Dan of Marlborough, CT; her grandson Austin Dupre of Marlborough; her siblings Michael O'Connor of Cheshire, CT; John O'Connor (Mary Lou) of Cheshire, CT; Debbie Lankford (Steve) of South Prince George, VA; best friend/sister-in-law Maxine Balinskas of East Berlin; and numerous nieces and nephews who she loved dearly and was very proud of. She was predeceased by her "brother" Jim (Karen) formerly of Sandwich, MA.
Thank you to her special friend Jan, members of the teacher's lunch crew, and the residents/staff at The Lodge. Thank you also to the many special caregivers who assisted her these past few years – Masters in Home Care, Dr. Ouellette, Middlesex & Hartford Hospital, and Caregiving by Cathy (especially Annette and Lawdia.) Connor and Jonathan also held a special place in her heart.
Calling hours will be on Wednesday, November 12, 2025 from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm at Mulryan Funeral Home, 725 Hebron Avenue, Glastonbury. A short prayer service will follow. Friends and family will be invited to share in a buffet meal afterwards in Rocky Hill. Burial will be held privately at the Saint Thomas Cemetery in Southington, where she will join her husband in her final resting place.
Ellen was an animal lover her entire life. Special companions over the years included her black lab Cher and her golden retriever Mickey. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to an organization of your choice. For online condolences, please visit www.mulryanfh.com.