Obituary: Evelyn (Smey) Cleary

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NAUGATUCK — Mrs. Evelyn (Smey) Cleary, 101, of Naugatuck, passed away peacefully on Monday, March 14, 2016 in the VITAS Unit at St. Mary’s Hospital. She was the widow of Daniel W. Cleary.

Mrs. Cleary was born April 3, 1914 in Seymour, daughter of the late Alexander and Lucia (Barna) Smey. She was the oldest living graduate of the Waterbury Hospital School of Nursing, having received her registered nurse (RN) degree in 1935 and worked as a private duty nurse in local and New Jersey hospitals for more than three decades.

More recently, she was a member of the Alumni Association of the Waterbury Hospital School of Nursing, AARP Chapter 495, Naugatuck Women’s Club, and Evergreen Club at Waterbury Hospital. She was also a communicant and former member of the Catholic Council of Women of St. Francis of Assisi Church in Naugatuck, and a volunteer for many years at the American Red Cross Blood Drives. Her hobbies included reading, nature and gardening.

Mrs. Cleary is survived by her nieces, Barbara Smey Richman, Nancy Smey Hernandez, Carolyn Gagnon Stack, Donna Phelan Cleary; nephews, Joseph W. Smey, Jean P. Gagnon, Henry Rockwood, III, and many grand nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her brothers, Andrew, John and Joseph; a sister, Ann Smey Rockwood; and nephews, David Rockwood and Daniel F. Cleary.

A funeral mass will be held on Saturday, April 9, 2016 at 11 a.m. at St. Francis of Assisi Church, 318 Church St., Naugatuck. Family and friends are asked to please meet directly at the church. Burial will be in St. James Cemetery in Naugatuck. There are no calling hours. The Prospect Memorial Funeral Home, 72 Waterbury Road, Prospect is in charge of arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, please contribute to either St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, St. Francis-St. Hedwig School, 318 Church St., Naugatuck, CT 06770, or the Office of Radio and Television Ministries, 15 Peach Orchard Road, Prospect, CT 06712.

To place online condolences, visit www.prospectmemorial.com.