Kathleen M. Crean, 85, a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother passed away on Saturday morning, Aug. 28, 2021, at Masonicare in Wallingford. She was the wife of the late Gerald P. Crean, and they were longtime residents of Southington.
Kathleen, born on Nov. 7, 1935, was raised in the village of Dunquin in County Kerry, Ireland, the most westerly tip of the Dingle Peninsula, overlooking the Blasket Islands. She was the daughter of the late Ulick and Ellen (Sayers) Moran. At 17, Kathleen and her brother Patrick sailed aboard the M.V. Britannic from Cobh, Ireland on April 11, 1953, and arrived at Ellis Island on April 19, 1953. Arriving in the evening, Kathleen often reminisced about how amazing it was to see the New York City lights and the Statue of Liberty, and she laughed at her inability to get on to the "moving stairs" (escalator). She settled in West Hartford, living with relatives. Within three days of her arrival, and with limited English, she mostly spoke Gaelic, Kathleen secured a position at Connecticut General Life Insurance Company in Hartford. She worked at Connecticut General until she married her husband Gerry in 1961. After initially living in New Britain, Kathleen and Gerry settled in Southington. They raised four children while being transferred from Southington to Marietta, GA to Knoxville, TN and then back to Southington for Gerry's position at the Travelers Insurance Company. Once her children were older, she cared for the elderly for a Southington Home Care group. Then she worked in administrative positions in the medical clinics and dental school at the University of Connecticut Health Center until her retirement in 2000. Kathleen and her husband enjoyed traveling together. They had made several trips back to her homeland of Ireland to visit family. They also enjoyed their winters in Fernandina Beach, Florida. Theirs was a true love story that endured just shy of 59 years. Born of humble beginning, Kathleen was a wonderful mother who shared her values and beliefs with her family so that they could be known for their integrity, strength of character, and a strong sense of community. Kathleen was also known for her good humor and her "gift of gab” which she shared with friends and strangers alike. Her generosity and good nature defined who she was, and this Irish Rose will be deeply missed here on earth but will bloom again in heaven.
She is survived by her sisters, Josie Hallinan and Mary Doyle, her brothers Ulick Moran, Thomas Moran, and Michael Moran, her loving children Gerald P. Crean III, James M. Crean, Thomas P. Crean, and Kelley Crean Conte; daughters-in-law Cathy Kies Crean, Anna Crean, Alexis Parra Crean; son-in-law Sam Conte; grandchildren Gerald P. Crean IV, Mackenzie Catherine Crean, Erin Kathleen Crean, Claire Diane Crean, Mary Ellen Crean, James M. Crean Jr., Alesya Nedoshyvkina, Caroline J Crean, Gabriella Marie Crean, Kaitlyn Conte, Sam Conte, Karoline Conte, and Matthew Conte.
She was predeceased by brothers Matthew, Seamus, and Patrick Moran.
On Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021, a funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 am at Mary Our Queen Church, 248 Savage St. Plantsville. The burial will be at St. Mary's Cemetery in New Britain. Calling hours will be Saturday morning from 8-10 am at the DellaVecchia Funeral Home, 211 N. Main St. Southington. Masks are mandatory for unvaccinated guests and are encouraged for all attendees.
For online condolences and directions, please visit www.dellavecchiasouthington.com
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