Mary Middleton

Fishers Island, N.Y. — Mary R. Middleton, 99, of Fishers Island and Groton, passed away on Thursday, Dec. 28, 2017, at Lawrence + Memorial Hospital, New London.

She was born Dec. 16, 1918, in Willimantic, the daughter of Felix and Victoria Polak. She married Ernest Middleton Jr., who passed away on June 23, 1933.

Mary was a communicant of Our Lady of Grace Church and served as president of the altar and rosary society. She was an avid fan of UConn basketball and the Boston Red Sox. She loved to read, do word searches and crossword puzzles.

She is survived by her son, Ernest Middleton of Fishers Island and Cape Coral, Fla.; a daughter, Mary Ellen Middleton of Gales Ferry; and several nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her brothers, Rudy and Raymond Polak; and her sisters, Bridget Moran, Wanda Daly and Hilda Slater.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2018, at Our Lady of Grace Church, Fishers Island. Interment will follow in New St. John’s Cemetery, Fishers Island. There are no calling hours.

Thomas L. Neilan & Sons Funeral Home, 12 Ocean Ave., New London, is in charge of arrangements.

Donations in Mary’s memory may be made to either Our Lady of Grace Church or the Fishers Island Fire Dept. Sea Stretcher.