Lagana, Mary L.

Mary Louise Lagana of Old Saybrook, Ct. passed away on Tuesday March 5th, 2024, from the debilitating effects of Alzheimer’s disease. She was the daughter of the late Joseph and Josephine Lagana. Mary was born on June 5th, 1939 in Meriden, Ct. She spent her early years living on her grandfather’s farm in Southington, Ct. She attended the two-room school house on Marion Avenue that is now a historic landmark. She often recalled the amenities of the outhouse and the ethnic celebrations that her mom, who was from Italy would make ethnic costumes for her, every Christmas climbing the mountain to gather ferns and laurel with her dad and siblings to make garlands for the front of their home, and sliding down her grandfather’s mountain in the winter. In 1949, her family moved to Meriden where she attended local schools and graduated in the Class of 1957. Mary was captain of the Cheerleaders and voted Most Athletic. After graduating from high school, Mary began a long-time relationship with Camp Waklo in Vermont as a Camp Councilor during the summer months. Mary also enrolled in New Britain Teachers College where she was on the first women’s tennis team and graduated in 1961 with a teaching degree. She first taught at Charles Wright in Wethersfield where she also took up residence. After a few years she moved on to the Hartford School system. The rest of her career was spent in Hartford; first at Barnard Brown and then as the principal of Naylor School. During this time, she earned her Master’s Degree, Sixth Year Certificate and eventually her Doctorate.

Mary was a lifelong, avid women’s UCONN Husky basketball fan and always enjoyed athletics, both watching and participating. After retirement, Mary moved to her family’s cottage in Old Saybrook, enjoying working outside and socializing with her friends.

Mary is survived by her sister Loretta Bogdanski, her brother Joseph (Kathleen) and her sister Claudia Saborin. She is also survived by her nieces and nephews: Polly (Jim) Fanning of Larchmont New York, Kate (Tim) Murray of Boston, Matthew Lagana (Kelly) of South Glastonbury, Joe Bogdanski, Matthew Saborin and six grand nephews.

Mary was predeceased by her nephew Christopher Democh and her longtime companion Charlotte Kidwell. Burial will be private. A memorial service will be held at a later date by the family. Donations in Mary’s memory may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association Connecticut Chapter, 200 Executive Blvd S #4b, Southington, CT 06489 and to SARAH Inc., 1620 Boston Post Road, Westbrook, CT 06498. Arrangements are under the direction of the Meriden Memorial Funeral Home, 450 Broad St., Meriden, CT. For online condolences visit: www.meridenmemorialfh.com