Elizabeth Bresser

Waterford — Elizabeth June (Auwood) Bresser, 93, of Waterford died peacefully in her home on Friday, Sept. 7, 2018, surrounded by her husband and three daughters.

“Betty” was born in Uncasville to the late Walter and Helen (Cutone) Auwood. She graduated from Williams Memorial Institute in 1943 where she was one of just seven students to receive Harriet Peck Williams Honors. Though she received a scholarship to attend Bryant College she chose to continue working at the National Bank of Commerce in New London to help her mother and brothers through some lean times.

Betty married John Thomas Bresser, on May 16, 1953, at St. Joseph Church. Her husband and three daughters, Susan O’Connor of Rhode Island, Patricia Bresser of Minnesota, and Elizabeth Olsen of California survive her along with five grandchildren, five great-grandchildren; and two brothers, William Auwood of Quaker Hill and Joseph Auwood of Waterford.

It was often said that Betty “knows everyone in Waterford.” She was well-respected and actively involved in the community serving for many years on the Waterford Board of Education, the Waterford Republican Town Committee, and later, on the Waterford Senior Citizen Commission. During World War II, along with some close friends, she started and organized the SERHOS Club where SERvicemen and HOStesses gathered for dinners, dancing and conversation. It was through the SERHOS Club that she met her husband John.

Betty was employed as a bookkeeper at the dental office of Dr. John O’Loughlin for more than 30 years. Prior to that she was a real estate agent and broker with Hedden Real Estate Company.

Family and friends are asked to gather at 10 a.m. Monday, Sept. 17, for a Mass of Christian Burial, at St. Paul Church, 170 Rope Ferry Road, Waterford. Interment will follow at Jordan Cemetery. There are no public viewing hours.

The Impellitteri-Malia Funeral Home, 84 Montauk Ave., New London, is entrusted with her care.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Honor Flight New England in Betty’s name.