Maryann (Pinard) dePreaux Walmsley

Maryann (Pinard) dePreaux Walmsley, 52, of Wethersfield, beloved wife and best friend of Thomas Walmsley, and mother and best friend of Nicole (dePreaux) Nehmer and her husband Scott Nehmer, passed peacefully into eternal rest on April 29, 2014. She was surrounded by her loving family following a valiant, four-year fight with cancer. Maryann was predeceased by her loving parents, Roland and Carmela (Forte) Pinard. She is also survived by a brother, James Pinard of Orlando, FL; stepfather, Frank Monckton of Leesburg, FL; stepbrother, Christopher Monckton and his wife Marilyn of North Granby; stepbrother, Paul Monckton and his wife Lisa of Bristol; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Harold and Lorraine Walmsley of Rocky Hill; sister-in-law, Catherine Walmsley of Northhampton, MA; sister-in-law, Susan (Walmsley) Hertel and her husband Chris of Wethersfield; brother-in-law, Brian Walmsley and his wife Suzanne of Franklin, MA, as well as several nieces and nephews and many cherished extended family and loving friends. Maryann was employed as an Investment Managing Director for Cigna Investment Management, where she worked in positions of increasing responsibility over a 24-year career. Previously, she was employed at Connecticut Mutual Life for 10 years. She was a graduate of South Catholic High School in Hartford, received her bachelor’s degree in Finance from Post University, and an executive MBA from the University of Connecticut, where she attended while raising her daughter. In addition to her professional career, Maryann was a dedicated volunteer in various civic and non-profit organizations. She was a board member, Treasurer and past President of Newington Elementary Children's Center (NECCI) and was a Girl Scout Daisy leader. Maryann made it her mission, after being diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2010, to lead numerous initiatives during her unyielding fight with cancer. She was a team organizer for the Annual Run/Walk to Break the Silence on Ovarian Cancer held at Hammonasset State Park, was actively involved on the cookbook and golf tournament committees for the Neag Comprehensive Cancer Center at UConn Health Center, Patient Consultant for the planned revitalization of the cancer center and threw out the first pitch during National Cancer Survivors Day at the New Britain Rock Cats Stadium. However, it was her home life that gave Maryann the most satisfaction, as nothing was more important to her than family and time spent having dinner with friends or entertaining by the pool with those closest in her life. She was a member of the Indian Hill Country Club, an avid knitter, quilter, reader and enjoyed “9 and Dine” golf, dancing, camping and baking – making it an annual Christmas tradition to make, along with Nicole, 100 dozen cookies that they gave to family, neighbors and friends. She loved dogs, shopping, wine and traveling with her beloved Tom – taking trips in her lifetime to China for her studies, Tahiti, Bora Bora, Aruba, Las Vegas, and San Francisco for spirited excursions to wine country, cruises to the Caribbean and Mediterranean, and her favorite – annual trips to Florida and Cape Cod to visit family. Tom, Nicole and Scott would like to thank family and friends for their kindness during this long fight, and in particular, Dr. Molly Brewer and the staff at the UConn Cancer Center for their dedicated and professional care.

Friends may call from 3-7 p.m. on Sunday (May 4) at the D'Esopo Funeral Chapel, 277 Folly Brook Blvd., Wethersfield. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday (May 5) at 10 a.m. in the Church of the Incarnation, 544 Prospect St., Wethersfield. Burial will follow at Mount St. Benedict Cemetery, 1 Cottage Grove Rd, Bloomfield. In lieu of flowers, donations in Maryann’s memory may be made to the UConn Foundation for Dr. Molly Brewer’s research fund for ovarian cancer. Please make your check payable to: UConn Foundation (please indicate Dr. Molly Brewer’s research fund in the memo field of your check) and mail to: UConn Health Center, Attn. Dr. Molly Brewer, 263 Farmington Ave., Farmington, CT 06030. To extend online condolences to the family, please visit www.desopo.com.