Marjorie H Gaffney

Marjorie H. Gaffney, 90, a lifetime resident of New Britain entered her heavenly home on Saturday May 22. She was the widow of Robert P. Gaffney who died in October 2010 and the daughter of the late Lillian Sleath Hitchcock and Wooster Klock Hitchcock. A 1948 graduate of New Britain High School, she took great pride in serving as the co-chairperson of their 60th reunion committee. Marj was a 1950 graduate of Westbrook College in Portland, ME and was an employee of Central Connecticut State University (formerly Teachers College of Connecticut). After 35 years of service, she retired from her position as an Executive Assistant in the Public Relations Office. She remained actively involved with the CCSU Staff Retirees Group. Marj was a devout catholic and member of St. Francis of Assisi Church for over 60 years. She served as Eucharistic Minister, was active in the Ladies Guild, a collections counter, a volunteer librarian at the former St. Francis Middle School and a CCD teacher when her children were young. In 2015 she was a recipient of the St. Joseph Medal of Appreciation from Archbishop Blair for her commitment and volunteer efforts at St. Francis over the years. Additionally, Marj was a volunteer at Friendship Service Center and a 30+ year volunteer at Brittany Farms Health Center where she brought communion and participated in Sunday services. Marj was an avid reader and we thank the staff of the Jefferson Branch of the NB Public Library for their friendship, compassion, and understanding to support her love for reading over many many years. She was a dedicated fan of UCONN basketball, especially the women’s team as well as the Boston Red Sox. She will be missed by her friends at the YWCA especially Chris, Donna and Marge among others with whom she shared many laughs during their exercise classes. In our hearts and memories Marjie, Mom, Grandma, Gigi and GG will be remembered by all of us as a Saint. Her undying love for her family and God and her willingness to help others was fierce . We loved her to her last breath and we know she loved us back just as much. She leaves behind her six blessed children and spouses; daughter Margaret( Meg) and husband Edward Deguzis of Newington; five sons, Patrick and wife Anchalee of San Diego, CA; Michael and wife Lise of Charlottesville, VA; Peter and wife Cathy of Feeding Hills, MA; Paul and wife Susan of Newington; Mark and wife Christine of New Britain. She leaves 11 beloved grandchildren; Ryan and wife Emily Deguzis, Taylor and husband Jimmy Vincenzo, Andrew Deguzis; Matthew and wife Lauren Gaffney, Megan and husband Jared Paré; Kaitlin and Paul Jr., Jessica and husband Wahed Saadut and Brian Gaffney; Kelly and Leah Gaffney; and step-granddaughter Christina Willingham. She also leaves behind her 8 adored great-grandchildren; Claire and Quinn Gaffney, Mason and Lyla Paré, James and Jack Vincenzo and Meadow and Hope Saadut. Marj is survived by her sister Ann H. Lowell of Southbury, brother-in-law Stephen McGuigan of Jupiter, FL and 16 nieces and nephews. Marj is predeceased by her brother and sister-in-laws James and Lucy (Ryan) Gaffney, Peggy (Gaffney) and John Malone, her sister-in-law and partner in crime Jean McGuigan, her brother-in-law Doug Lowell as well as her nieces Mary Gaffney and Teri Lowell and her nephews Dennis and Sean Malone. Family and friends are invited to call on Thursday June 3rd from 4-7pm at New Britain Memorial Funeral Home, 444 Farmington, Ave., New Britain. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on June 4th 10AM at St Francis of Assisi Church, Stanley Street, New Britain. Please meet the family directly at church. She will be laid to rest in St. Mary’s Cemetery with the Gaffney Family. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundations, 20 Batterson Park Road, #302, Farmington, CT, 06032.