Obituary: Mary Keefe Meehan, 80, formerly of West Haven

WEST HAVEN, CT - (From Sisk Brothers Funeral Home) Mary Keefe Meehan, 80, of Madison died on May 21, 2021, at the Artis Senior Living Center in North Branford, CT.

Mary was born in Boston, MA on March 22, 1941 to Irish immigrants from County Kerry, the late John J. Keefe and Catherine O’Shea Keefe.

She is survived by her adoring husband of nearly 56 years, William P. Meehan, Jr. She also leaves behind her son, William P. Meehan, III (Marie) of Boston, MA, daughter, Katherine M. Merschman (Joseph) of Madison, CT, and six amazing grandchildren: Emmett William, Patrick Edward, and William Joseph Merschman, and William Paul IV, Fionnuala Marie, and Connor Brian Meehan.

Mary is also survived by her loving siblings: brothers, Hugh F. Keefe, John J. Keefe, and sisters, Carol Keefe DePetrillo, and Marjorie Bernice Keefe.

She is also remembered with love by many nieces, nephews and loved ones in the Meehan and Keefe families.

As a first generation Irish-American, and the oldest of five siblings, Mary worked hard from a very young age and had a great deal of responsibility. Her greatest focus was always caring for her family and she gave everything of herself to ensure the best for them.

From using her small paycheck as a young girl to pay for Irish step dance lessons for her adored baby sister Margie, to spending the night in her car to make sure her teenage daughter got to her own car safely after working late at night, Mary’s devotion to her family was fierce and truly selfless.

Mary attended the Immaculate Conception grade school in Cambridge, MA, West Haven High School, and later earned her bachelor’s degree from Trinity International University in Chicago, at the age of 58.

She was a long-time employee of the Yale University Alumni Association, a career that she thoroughly enjoyed. Her last position was Director of Alumni Affairs for the Yale University School of Medicine. She became long-time friends with many with whom she worked.

Mary was also the first woman ever appointed Police Commissioner in the town of Hamden, a role she proudly served in the early 1980s.

Happiest when busy, after retiring from Yale, Mary devoted her time to being a substitute teacher and a volunteer at the Milford Public Library.

Mary’s greatest joy in life was found in her roles as a wife, mother, grandmother and matriarch of the boisterous Keefe clan.

Nothing pleased her more than being with her family. She was elated by her children’s accomplishments, including her son becoming a doctor and her daughter becoming a lawyer.

She adored all that was Irish and traveled often to Ireland with her husband and children, visiting many of her cousins on the original homesteads.

Her family cherishes each and every moment we were blessed to have with her.

Mary’s family will receive relatives and friends at Sisk Brothers Funeral Home, 3105 Whitney Avenue in Hamden on Thursday May 27 from 8:30am to 10:30am.

A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11:00am in Divine Mercy Parish St. Rita Church, 1620 Whitney Avenue in Hamden. Interment will follow in All Saints Cemetery in North Haven.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimers Assoc., 2911 Dixwell Ave., Hamden, CT 06518.