Winifred M. Carey

MERIDEN - Winifred M. Carey, 90, wife of the late Walter A. Carey II, died on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2013, at MidState Medical Center after a brief hospitalization.

Born in New Haven on Jan. 25, 1923, she was the daughter of the late Harry and Ada Houson. She had resided in Meriden for the past 51 years and had graduated from Lyman Hall High School, class of 1941. During World War II she was a volunteer with the 1st Fighter Command Ground Observer Corps, where she was a recognition observer. Her mission was to observe aircraft from the roof of the Choate Science Building and identify them as Allied or Axis aircraft. Mrs. Carey was employed by the Charles Parker Company and later on was the secretary at Lyman Hall High School until her marriage to Walter Carey. She was a parishioner of Center Congregational Church. An avid musician, Mrs. Carey was a member of the Middletown Symphonic Band playing French horn, played in a handbell choir at Center Congregational Church, and sang with the Meriden Turner Society. In her early years, she served as a substitute organist for Wallingford area churches.

Mrs. Carey is survived by two sons, James Carey and his wife, Rache,l of Brookline, Mass., and David Carey, of Westbrook; and one grandson, Damien Carey, of New Haven. She is also survived by three nieces and one nephew. She was predeceased by two brothers, Herbert and Robert Houson; a sister, Marjorie Houson; and a grandson, Aaron Carey.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to The Center Congregational Church Handbell Choir, 474 Broad Street, Meriden, CT 06450, or to the Ivoryton Playhouse Foundation Endowment Campaign (with "Next One Hundred" written on the memo line of the check), P.O. Box 458, Ivoryton, CT 06442, or to the American Heart Association, 5 Brookside Drive, Wallingford, CT 06492.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Oct. 5, at 11 a.m. at Center Congregational Church, 474 Broad Street, Meriden. Burial will be private. Arrangements are under the direction of the John J. Ferry & Sons Funeral Home, 88 E. Main St., Meriden, CT 06450. For online condolences and directions please visit www.jferryfh.com