Annabelle Frances Curran

Griswold - Annabelle Frances (Edwards) Curran, 91, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother, passed away on Oct. 17, 2014.

She was born in Denver, Colo., on Aug. 17, 1923, to the late Charles C. and Mabel (Scholl) Edwards.

Annabelle learned tragedy at a young age when her 18-month old brother, George, died in 1927, and just two years later her loving mother, Mabel, passed away. She lived with her grandparents until her father remarried Ada Myers in 1930. Annabelle often spoke of the love and respect she shared with Ada. Family was always at the top of Annabelle's list.

Annabelle was an educator, volunteer, organizer, and respected community leader. She earned a bachelor's degree in 1945 from the University of Denver and taught fourth grade in Colorado.

She married John A. Curran Jr., Nov. 19, 1949, and they moved to Connecticut.

Annabelle began teaching for the Griswold school system in 1956 as a substitute and tutor for physically challenged children. In 1961, she accepted the position of eighth grade reading and English teacher. Annabelle believed each student in her classroom should not only learn the subject matter but be fostered to grow into a thinking and compassionate human being.

Annabelle was a member of the Griswold Education Association, Connecticut Education Association, and National Education Association, serving as secretary and social chairman for many years. During this time she published several articles on education.

Annabelle earned a master's degree in education in 1967 from Eastern Connecticut State University. She was nominated for "Outstanding Elementary Teachers of America" in 1974. Annabelle was selected as the Griswold Teacher of the Year in 1987 and was a nominee for Connecticut Teacher of the Year. Her dedication and sincere desire to have students succeed are reasons many former students sent notes and visited after graduation. They felt the respect she showed them, and they responded in kind. Annabelle also served as the eighth grade class advisor (1972-1986) conducting and supervising school dances, elections, class trips, parties, fund-raisers, spelling bees, and graduation.

In 1975 Annabelle served as co-director of the Griswold Elementary School Drama Club, directing at least two productions a year. She co-directed the play "1776" as part of the Griswold Bicentennial Celebration. The positive response to that production led to the establishment of Griswold Players Community Theater in 1977, which promoted the growth and quality of the arts in Griswold and the surrounding area. Annabelle co-directed the plays until 1982, when she acted as the sole director, sat on the board of directors, and served as vice-president for four years. She also helped establish the Griswold Players Scholarship Fund and was an active member on the selection committee.

Annabelle was an avid volunteer. Her passion for reading was expressed when she became a founding member of the Friends of Slater Library in 1991, serving as president until 2013. Her indomitable spirit lead her to organize committees to carry out book and yard sales, raffles, bus trips to New York City, art shows, and spaghetti dinners and chicken barbeques at the VFW. Annabelle also conducted adult story hours at the library and brought in community members who specialized in topics such as the Civil War or gardening. The Griswold High School Chamber Choir has volunteered to be the entertainment for the annual open house and the spaghetti dinner over the past several years. Annabelle, along with the seemingly infinite generosity of the community who donated their time, talent, and expertise, secured advancements to the library including numerous structural improvements such as railings, a new furnace, air conditioning, electrical work, and painting. In addition, books, technology, and a new genealogy room were welcomed. In 1999, the Association of Connecticut Library Boards recognized Annabelle for her outstanding contributions to library development and services.

She was a member of the scholarship committee for the New London Retired Teachers Association, serving in leadership roles. She participated as a judge for the VFW "Voice of Democracy Contest" for over 10 years, and was an active member of the board of the Griswold Regional Visiting Nurse Agency.

Annabelle was an active member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Jewett City and attended daily mass after her retirement. Annabelle lived her Catholic faith in every aspect of her life. There was always time in her day for prayer. She also contributed her time as a lector, teaching RCIA, and as a fundraiser.

Annabelle retired in 1989 after nearly 33 years of teaching at Griswold Elementary School and shared the joys of retirement with her husband, John. The retirement celebration was an evening of total bliss for her. "What I Did for Love" said it all as everything she did, she did for love. They enjoyed 17 years of traveling to visit family and explore the United States by plane, train, car, and ferry boat. The semiannual trips to Colorado to unite with family and friends pleased her. The whole Curran group would venture to Alaska for fishing trips. These excursions provided many stories, each one better than the last - except the one in which Annabelle caught the most fish - that couldn't be topped!

She will be remembered most for her dedication to her family and friends, church, education, and the community. Her zest for life serves as a legacy to all whose lives she has touched. When in doubt, contemplate, "What would Annabelle do?"

Annabelle leaves behind her son, Charles E. Curran of Griswold; daughter, Sheila J. Curran of Girdwood, Alaska; grandsons, Peter Caron and Ryan Curran of Virginia Beach, Va., Justin Curran (wife Carrie) of Canton, and Blake Fayette of Girdwood; granddaughters, Katie Combres (husband Shane) of Shelburne, Vt., April Curran of Salem, Bethanie Robert of Voluntown; and, great-grandchildren, Alec Caron, Madeline and Mason Curran, Rees, Annabelle, and Asher Combres, Taylor Berube, Jackson Robert; and great-great grandchild, Breyden Pickard.

She was predeceased by her parents, Charles and Mabel Edwards and Ada Edwards; brother, George Edwards; sister, Josephine Edwards; daughter-in-law, Lee Ann (Stilwell) Curran in 2002; and, son, John A. Curran III, followed by her husband of 57 years, John A. Curran Jr., both in 2006.

The Curran family wishes to thank the Villa Maria Nursing and Rehabilitation Center for the wonderful care they provided to Annabelle.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Friends of the Slater Library, PO Box 523, Jewett City, CT 06351 or the Eastern Connecticut Performing Arts Association, 150 Bitgood Road, Griswold, CT 06351.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 25, at St. Mary's Church, Jewett City. Interment will follow at Pachaug Cemetery. Calling hours will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 24, at Leffler Funeral Home, 30 N. Main St., Jewett City. There will be a private family visitation from 9 to 9:45 a.m. on Saturday.

For the online memorial, or to write a message of comfort, visit www.lefflerfuneralhome.com.