Gwen M. Sunderland-Haggett

Gwen Moss Sunderland-Haggett, 64, of Oakdale, Connecticut, passed away at her residence surrounded by family on Tuesday, August 20, 2024 after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease. She was the beloved wife of David E. Haggett, with whom she shared 42 years of marriage. Gwen was a dedicated mother to daughters Mary Grace and Emily, as well as son-in-law Kevin. Gwen was known as a vibrant, compassionate, funny, and creative person. She will be dearly missed by all who knew her.

After graduating from Case High School in Swansea, Massachusetts, Gwen attended the University of Massachusetts, Amherst where she received a B.S. in Animal Science. Gwen went on to earn her M.B.A. from the University of New Haven as well as a M.S. from Temple University.

Gwen worked in pharmaceutical research at Pfizer for 16 years. Earlier in her career, she worked at CytoTherapeutics, The Miriam Hospital, and Rhode Island Hospital. Fun jobs she had when she was younger included life guard, children’s swim instructor, and milking cows on a dairy farm.

Gwen’s greatest passions were animals, gardening, camping, reading, and spending time with family and friends. She enjoyed crafting and DIYing, such as sewing and furniture restoration. Gwen and her family fostered many cats through the Animal Rescue Fund over 7 years, including expectant mothers and their litters of kittens.

Her love of animals first developed while growing up on a small family farm in Swansea. They raised beef cattle, goats, ducks, and her favorite pony Sammy. She was an avid athlete, enjoying field hockey, volleyball, skiing, swimming, and yoga. Throughout the years, she and her family made many memories sailing multi-hull sailboats. Gwen had a lifelong dream of living on the water, which she fulfilled for the past 10 years on a lake in Oakdale.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by two daughters Emily L. Haggett of Cranston, RI and Mary Grace A. Miller and her husband Kevin of Colchester, CT; three sisters Daryl A. Keyes, Lori J. Bolton and her husband Barry all of Swansea, and Joan A. Stone and her husband Kenneth of Seekonk, as well as many nieces and nephews. She was also greatly anticipating the arrival of her first grandchild.

Gwen was predeceased by her parents Albert Sunderland Jr. and Joyce A. (Butler) Sunderland, and her brother-in-law David W. Keyes.

Relatives and friends are invited to Gwen’s Celebration of Life service Saturday, September 28th, 2024 at 11:00 AM at the Waring-Sullivan Home at Memorial Tribute at Birchcrest, 189 Gardners Neck Rd., Swansea, MA. Visitation hours, Friday, September 27th from 4:00 to 7:00 PM. Burial will be at Christ Church Cemetery, Swansea, MA.

Memorial contributions in Gwen’s honor may be made to Rescue Road Trips, PO BOX 107, White Cottage, Ohio 43791 or the Alzheimer’s Association, 320 Nevada St, Suite 201, Newton, MA 02760.

For tributes/directions please visit: www.waring-sullivan.com