Ann 0. McGrath

Ann O’Neill McGrath of Hamden, Naples, FL and Lanphiers Cove, Branford, CT died peacefully on September 5th after one last summer of visits with family and friends. Ann was born in New Haven, CT on October 13, 1936 to the late Edward and Margaret (Daly) O’Neill, immigrants from Ireland. She inherited their bright blue Irish eyes, smile and work ethic, and lived her whole life devoted to her family. Ann was the oldest of five children and stepped into her role helping manage the family without complaint when her father died at an early age. Ann graduated at the top of her class from Sacred Heart Academy and then obtained her nursing degree from the St. Raphael’s School of Nursing in 1957. Ann spent 35 years on her feet as a Registered Nurse, including the last 15 as the head nurse at Arden House in Hamden. Ann was married for 56 years to the love of her life, the late Richard Lawrence McGrath. Ann and Dick spent every summer at their family cottage over looking Long Island sound at their beloved Lanphiers Cove in Branford with a group of truly special friends. Ann counted on those friends to share her love for a long walk, a good laugh, a wee bit of gossip, a few cocktails and her pride in the community they all built together. Ann and Dick retired to their dream home in Naples, Florida, where for almost twenty years they enjoyed the beach, golf, walking and biking. Ann was active in the Red Hat Society and a champion at bingo, dominoes and water aerobics, and spent time everyday curled up with a good book. For the last several years, Ann was a resident of Benchmark in Hamden where she was beloved by residents and staff alike. She had a warm smile for everyone, participated in yoga and tai chi, and never missed an ice cream social. Ann leaves behind her daughter Megan, who made sure that Ann got to experience the smell of the salt water and the views of the islands in Branford on many occasions this last summer. She leaves behind her son Brian and his wife Monica. She was predeceased by her son Rick and her husband Dick. She was Gramma Annie to her six grandchildren, Ricky, John, Peter (Samantha), Tommy, Billy and Lydia. They were her pride and joy, and a source of intense focus of her constant flow of phone calls, cards, and inquiries about their lives. Ann leaves behind her sisters Mary ( Jim) Raccio and Kathleen (Robert) Kilijanski, and was predeceased by her brother Vincent O’Neill and his wife Pam, and her sister Peggy Batick and her husband Robert. Her many nieces and nephews were all very special to Ann. A funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, September

10th at 10 a.m. at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church at 2819 Whitney Ave. in Hamden. A reception will be held nearby after Mass. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Save The Sound, at savethesound. org to honor Ann’s love of the Shore.