Lorraine Laydon

Lorraine Laydon
March 3, 1931 ~ July 22, 2025
Lorraine Laydon, 94, of Ashlar Village, Wallingford, died peacefully on Tuesday, July 22, 2025 at Recency House Health and Rehabilitation Center in Wallingford. She was the beloved wife of the late Thomas A. Laydon Jr.
Lorraine was born in New Haven Connecticut on March 3, 1931 and was the daughter of Cecilia and Frank Wendt. Lorraine was married to Thomas Laydon for 67 years until his death in 2021.
Lorraine was a graduate from Central Connecticut State University, and earned her Masters from Southern Connecticut State University. She began teaching in Cheshire and later taught special education for the Milford school system. Lorraine served on state and local boards as a parent and advocate for special needs individuals. She was a passionate participant in her Catholic faith and served as a Eucharistic Minister for many years.
Lorraine enjoyed family events, sailing, socializing, golfing and traveling. During their retirement, Lorraine and Tom became snowbirds, escaping the chilly Connecticut weather to Hobe Sound, Florida. In 2008 they moved to Ashlar Village, a Masonicare independent living community in Wallingford. Lorraine and Tom were able to travel to many places in the United States and Europe.
Lorraine was very active in the Ashlar Village community. She was involved in fundraising for Masonicare Charity Foundation and the Ashlar Village Residents' Scholarship. The scholarship committee enabled her to do what she loved, guiding young people. Lorraine was a natural actress and appeared in a variety of Masonicare commercials. She also had a gift to make people laugh and did stand-up comedy at the Ashlar Village Variety Show. She loved playing games, especially bridge. She also had a talent for painting, writing, and gardening. Her bubbly, fun, funny personality and genuine interest in people impacted many. She was someone that was not forgotten once met. The most important things in Lorraine's life were her family, faith, and friendships.
Lorraine leaves behind five children, Joanne Callahan, Susan Gallagher, Elizabeth (Maloney) Laydon, Thomas Laydon III and Margaret Mary Laydon; her grandchildren, Patrick Callahan (Laura), Caitlan Callahan (Michael Latham), Meghan Callahan (Erich Stoneman), Geoffrey Farina (Priscila), Gregory Farina, Kathleen Maloney (Nicholas Taylor), James Maloney (Victoria), Matthew Laydon (Lauren Phee), Thomas Laydon, Michael Laydon and Kelly Laydon; and twelve great-grandchildren. She leaves her sister, Joan Wallace of Wallingford, sister and brother-in-law Franc and Andrew Meade from Southington along with many nieces and nephews. Lorraine is predeceased by her beloved husband, Thomas Laydon Jr, sister, Regina Wendt and son-in-law, Daniel Callahan.
Lorraine's family will receive relatives and guests at the Yalesville Funeral Home, 386 Main Street (Yalesville section of Wallingford) on Monday, July 28, 2025 from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, July 29, 2925 at 10:30 a.m. when the funeral when the funeral cortege will proceed to Our Lady of Fatima Church where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Internment in All Saints Cemetery will be private. Gifts can be made to The Ashlar Village Residents' Scholarship Fund, Ashlar Village, 74 Cheshire Rd, Wallingford, CT Attn: Kimberly Magalhaes or The Franciscan Life Center, 271 Finch Ave., Meriden, CT 06451.