Name: Visitation for Allyson Marie Cleary
Start: 2018-01-15T22:00:00.000Z
End: 2018-01-16T00:00:00.000Z
Location: Thomas L. Neilan & Sons Funeral Home - New London

Old Lyme - Allyson Marie Cleary of Old Lyme passed away on Monday, Jan. 8, 2018, at her home.

Allyson "Aly" was born Nov. 4, 1971, in Springfield, Mass., the daughter of Joseph G. Cleary of Old Lyme and Denice L. (Bagley) Emery- Ferrero of Agawam, Mass.

Growing up Aly was involved in several different activities such as dance classes and baton twirling amateur competitions. She completed her elementary education at Holy Cross School in New Britain before moving back to Agawam with her parents.

Aly was a 1989 graduate of Cathedral High School in Springfield, Mass. and in 1993 earned her associate's degree as a legal assistant from Bay Path College in Longmeadow, Mass. While a student at Bay Path, Aly was very involved in the theater department working behind the scenes and was considered a great asset to the success of the productions.

She was employed for many years at Greenberg Traurig law firm in Orlando, Fla., before moving to Philadelphia, Pa. It was there that she also developed a love for writing and cooking. Ultimately, Aly was able to turn her passions into real life success when she became the founder and publisher of the well known blog, "Cooking In Stilettos."

Some of Aly's most treasured moments include her time spent on and with her Dancin' on Air/Dance Party USA friends, her law/music/cooking and PR friends with whom she had maintained lifelong friendships.

Allyson is survived by her mother and father; her maternal grandmother, Mary Bagley of Agawam; her uncle and aunt, David and Deya Cleary of California; her stepfather, Michael Ferrero; her stepbrother and stepsister; her many loving nieces and nephews; her love pug, Jeffie and her feisty feline, Shadow.

The family will receive relatives and friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 15, at the Thomas L. Neilan & Sons Funeral Home, 12 Ocean Ave., New London. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 16, at St. Mary Star of the Sea Church, 10 Huntington St., New London. Interment will follow at St. Mary Cemetery, Jefferson Avenue, New London.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.neilanfuneralhome.com.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Pug Rescue of Florida at www.pugrescueofflorida.org.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Day on Jan. 13, 2018.

Memories and Condolences
for Allyson Cleary

Sponsored by Thomas L. Neilan & Sons Funeral Home - New London.

7 Entries

Denise

July 24, 2018

I was devastated to hear of Aly's passing. I feel horrible that I did not know sooner, but was out of the online loop most of the spring dealing with personal loss in my own family. I was Jeffie's foster mom and Aly spent several hours at my home the day she came to get him, he was my forst foster and adoptee. Aly and I hit it off and stayed in touch. My thoughts are with her friends and family.

Kim Beaulieu

January 16, 2018

Aly was one of a kind. She was loving, kind and supportive. She was also fierce and feisty which is something I always loved about her. She was such a loyal friend and always had your back when you needed her. She was an inspiration to everyone who knew her. I loved travelling with her to food conferences. We would shop, eat and giggle like schoolgirls. I will miss her every single day.

My heart goes out to all of Aly's friends and family. A special hug to Pops. She loved you so very much. xx

January 16, 2018

Please accept our condolences. It is never easy to lose a loved one but even moreso when they are taken so young.
- Perron family

January 15, 2018

The blogging community will miss Aly so much. My heart is with hrs family at this time.

Barbara Cafarelli

January 15, 2018

Aly, I will truly miss you! You were one of my closest, dearest friends in college. I will miss you terribly. My love to your family and other many friends during this difficult time.

Liz

January 13, 2018

Aly was a gem of a food bloggers. Always willing to share her vast knowledge, she was a true friend and trusted colleague. May dear Aly rest in peace. My condolences to Pops and Aly's friends and family.