Mildred A. Beattie, 85; Stamford Native, Former Co-Owner of Polycast

From Thomas M. Gallagher Funeral Home.

Mildred A. Beattie, 85, of Stamford, passed away on Sept. 17 following a brief illness.

Milly was born on Jan. 26, 1929 in Stamford, and was the only child of Harold and Mary Anderson. Raised within the Irish Catholic community of Stamford, Milly lived a life of service to others and was loved and respected by many.

Milly graduated from Sacred Heart Academy, the College of New Rochelle. In 1962, Milly married John O. Beattie, also of Stamford. They enjoyed a wonderful twenty-three years as both life partners and business partners. Together they owned and operated Polycast, specializing in research and plastics production until selling the company in 1969. At that time they opened J.O. Beattie Research Lab where he continued innovative research in production of plastics and pursuing business partnerships in Brazil and China. In addition, to their work, they enjoyed extensive traveling with Milly being John’s co-pilot on many flying adventures throughout the world. Upon his death in 1985, the company closed and Milly began a new chapter in her life.

In 1989, Milly received her MBA from the University of Connecticut and in the process became a devoted Huskies basketball fan. A few years following her graduation, she joined the executive staff of Family Centers in Greenwich. Committed to the work of Family Centers, Milly did not retire until the age of 81and then continued to volunteer regularly with the organization.

Throughout her life, Milly remained active in the community of St. Bridget of Ireland. She spoke often of her many friends, especially those she met each morning at mass. One of her most memorable trips was to the Vatican where she was blessed to participate in an audience with then Pope John Paul II.
.
Milly is survived by three stepsons, John R. Beattie of New York City, Alan W. Beattie of Malibu, CA, and Bruce E. Beattie (wife, Karen) of Daytona Beach, FL. Milly’s annual trips with Bruce and Karen were something she looked forward to and their 2014 trip had been a wish of her for years, a transatlantic crossing on the Queen Mary 2.

Milly is also survived by several cousins, including Julie Breunich, Helen Wynne, Claudia Breunich, all of Stamford area. One of her favorite things to do was to visit Claudia and her yellow lab, Bella, for walks in the park. Milly also tremendously enjoyed visiting museums, reading and attending Broadway shows, the opera and even Blue Man Group. She had a great sense of humor and her genuine laugh will be missed.

The family of her best friend, Mary Barry Tirnady, who predeceased Milly, were her extended family. The family includes Catherine M. Casey (husband, Kevin) of New Milford, Jane M. Francisco (Jim) of Dover, Delaware, and Frank Tirnady of Cromwell. Cathie cared for Milly in her final days and for that John, Alan, Bruce and Karen will be forever grateful.

Those who loved Milly would like to thank the doctors and nurses at St. Vincent’s Medical Center for the exceptional care they gave to Milly during her illness.

According to her wishes, the family invites friends to join them in a Mass of Christian Burial on Saturday, Sept. 27 at 10 a.m. at St. Bridget of Ireland 278 Strawberry Hill Ave, Stamford. The burial will be private at St. John’s Cemetery. There are no calling hours.

Arrangements are under the direction of Shippan’s Thomas M. Gallagher Funeral Home 453 Shippan Ave., Stamford.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Family Centers, 40 Arch St., Greenwich, CT 06830 and St. Bridget of Ireland.